Beata Staszkow — June 10, 2018 — June 10, 2018
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Getting approached by a headhunter can put an opportunity to advance your career at your feet. No need to go through a job search process as the opportunity has come to you. You may reject this offer but the fact you have been offered is it a sign that you are sending the right signals to the right people.
If your LinkedIn messages are not full of offers from headhunters then you’re not sending out the right signals. This begs the following question: How do I get on the radar of headhunters?
The following is what headhunters value:
Success Matters
Success in headhunting terms is about would others in your industry recommend you if asked for their opinion. This is what makes you stand out from other good executives. With this in mind, it is important to get noticed and be visible.
Professional Profile Visibility
Visibility is key to being headhunted. A well-drafted Linkedin profile is pivotal to attract headhunter’s attention. It takes a variety of forms but writing or being quoted in articles and journals, speaking at conferences and events, and joining professional bodies will boost your professional visibility.
Personal Branding and Headhunting
Headhunters look at skills and experience first and foremost before approaching you. Personal branding comes into its own here, as a dynamic brand will help you stand out from your competition. Write a blog and share your expertise; make your achievements known to the public.
This includes leveraging social media in the right way. Any comments or quotes in the physical world should appear in your social media profiles and be easily found. Provide your industry insights, details of the projects you’re working on. Get out there and get branding.
Network, network, network wisely
Although the importance of networking cannot be overstated, networking is not just about cultivating relationships with influential people. It is more about adding value. To get on the headhunter’s radar, you need to offer something worthy of their attention. Do you think you can help them? Share some of your contacts, perhaps? Offer industry insights? The best networking happens when people gather for a purpose other than networking, to learn from one another or help one another.
Sell yourself when the Headhunter Call Comes
When you do get approached by a headhunter be ready to sell your skills. Practice quantifying your major achievements – for example, “Accelerated loan portfolio growth by 24% at a time of a market downturn”. The chances are the headhunter would have approached a few people and has a shortlist. Make sure you’re at the top of that list.
Final Thoughts
Headhunters will approach you only if they are able to assess at a glance that your skills and expertise are of value to their clients. If you’ve found a vacancy, approached a headhunter and received no response, it means that your CV and Linkedin profile are not marketing your experience effectively. If you want to increase your visibility and your chances of getting headhunted, do the above.
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