As the unemployment rate is beginning to creep up into high single ditigals, is a head hunter is right for you if you are looking for a job?

The first thing you have to know if you are using a head-hunter is that they are not a career counsellor. They try to match you up with a job that is substantially similar to the one you had or have. Unless you are paying a head-hunter by the hour or you are an outstanding candidiate, other than the initial interview (which can last from 20 minutes to an hour), there is not a lot of hand holding going on. They may give you a few pointers on resumes but they will not substantially re-write it for you. Thus, remember, at the end of the day, think of a head-hunter as just another networking channel in a job search.

The lesson being, a good job hunter knows where they want to work and has an expert look over their resume before they approach a head hunter. They have no illusions on what a head-hunter will do for them. They provide access to opportunities. They are not a shoulder to cry on or a place to vent.

Having said that, if you are any good, a head-hunter will know they can place you somewhere and earn their commission. Thus, do try your head-hunter as another potential employer. The second lesson being, a head-hunter will put you front of mind if you are prepared, polished and employable. If you don’t try hard to impress them, you are just another number (and head hunting is purely a numbers game).

The third thing to consider is ask for word of mouth referral on good head-hunters in your industry. I used three firms once when I was still practicing law and looking for a job. One was great and two were lousy. The one that was great was in a smaller agency but she actually cared. The other two were in big agencies so I was just another number (and they were extremely rude to me). The one that was great was a word of mouth referral (someone actually pointed me to her and said, she’s the best in the biz). The other two I retained having saw their ad. Thus, like anything else, its all about the word of mouth referral.

Now, to answer the initial question, I would use a head-hunter if nothing else to widen your net in your job search with a few final things to consider:

1. Head-hunters are great for finding quick, low paying jobs. Head-hunters are great for finding girl/boy friends- the temporary help every office needs. We have used them several times and they always find you a warm body. Most of them are straight out of university. So, if you just graduated and need a job fast, by all means use them (the quality of candidates is a different question…)
2. The more skilled you are, the less reliance I place on head-hunters. Skilled employers or skilled industries tend to be quite incestous. Its easier to find another position through word of mouth than relying on an outsider to find one for you. For example, it is typically easier to find a new job by asking the lawyer on the other side of the file for any leads rather than asking an outsider for help.
3. Head-hunters are good sources of intelligence. You should use the initial interview to mine for information. What is the going salary rate? Is the industry dead? Do I need more education and/or training?

It never hurts to pursue as many opportunities as possible to obtain a new job. Just don’t rely on a head-hunter to be the end all and be all.

Anyone care to share their experiences with head-hunters?