Reminders About Working With an Executive Search Firm
By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter
If you’re someone who has worked with an executive search firm, these are reminders. If you are someone graduating from contingency recruiters to search firms, this information will help you go through the experience like a pro.
WIll a Recruiter Find a Job For You?
Hi, I’m Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter. I’m called The Big Game Hunter, starting with my time doing executive search, I would hunt down leaders and staff for organizations. Did it for a long time. And now I’m a coach who offers no BS career advice to people globally.
I wanted to talk with you about reminders about working with an executive search firm. Now for some of you, this may be your first dealings with one because you’re finally at that level where you’re going to be interacting with executive search firms. and it is going to be different than in the contingency world. So for those of you who are experienced with this, this is a reminder. And for those of you who don’t have that experience, it is different than working with contingency firms, at least most contingency firms.
So, the first thing I’ll just remind you of is be open and honest about your career goals and expectations. You know, they want to know what your thinking is because it’s going to affect their client. As such, if your goals and expectations don’t fit what their client can offer, they don’t want to waste your time. Amazing isn’t that. For those of you who come out of contingency, and they’re used to having someone bully you into a role, this is a different world.
Be ready to share your resume and work history and detail, which means keep your resume up to date.
Understand that the search firm is operating on behalf of its client, not you. They’re not representing you, they’re not trying to place you in a job. They’re trying to fill a position with one of their clients who is prepared to pay them for a successful search.
The Self Assessment Profile for The Executive Search Firm
As such, I’ll remind you to follow up with a search firm if you haven’t heard back from them in a reasonable amount of time, which means you really ought to ask them when you might expect to hear from them next. Understand that, you know, there’s always a degree of slippage. But they want to tell you when to hear from them. They don’t want to get pestered by you unnecessarily.
With that keep the search firm informed of any major life changes that may affect their search their representation of you. So if there’s a family member who’s ill or is accepting a position that would pull you away from a reasonable location for this position, or their position, then let them know and withdraw your candidacy.
And if you’re not interested in their role, stay in touch with them. Drop them a quick email or text to let them know what’s going on with you professionally. Even if you’re not actively looking for a position.
Understand the search process of what to expect from and that’s something that you can discuss it the first conversation with them.
And with that, be professional and respectful when communicating with them and their clients. Don’t be a jerk and be act stupid or rudely with anyone.
With regard to the client, firm, and position, do your research before having a first conversation with them. Listen to what they say don’t accept it at face value. Independently confirm it.
Be open to feedback and coaching from them because they know their client better. They can guide you through each of the steps in the process in order to present effectively to their client.
Keep your references up to date and ready be ready to provide them when requested. Concurrently with that keep your LinkedIn profile up to date and professional, too.
This one is probably one I should have done this first. Be open to new opportunities in industries you may not have initially considered. After all, the person who gets ahead isn’t always the smartest or work the hardest, although those are great qualities to have. People get ahead by being alert to opportunity. Sometimes they’re internal to their organization. Sometimes they’re external. Sometimes they’re in roles and industries you haven’t considered but you can learn about them and determine whether it suits you.
If you’re asked to sign a confidential a confidential confidentiality agreement or an NDA, understand that what the requirements of it are, and don’t betray the commitment that you’ve made.
Be prepared to discuss salary and benefits particularly if your thinking has changed over the course of the search from the beginning to the end of the search. Make sure you communicate that so that there are no surprises.
Lastly, be patient. Trust the process, it usually takes longer than anyone anticipates. They’re going to generally communicate well with you. But you need to be patient too.
So I hope these reminders are helpful to you. I’m Jeff Altman. Visit my website, TheBigGameHunter.us. There’s a ton in the blog to help you. Plus you can schedule time for a free discovery call or coaching session. I’ve got a trusted advisor service where you can put yourself on my calendar to discuss a difficult situation. I’d love to help.
Also at the site, you can find that about my courses, books, and guides. Again a lot there to help. Lastly, connect with me on LinkedIn at linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter. Hope you have a terrific day and most importantly, be great!
When You’ve Been Made Redundant, Fired, Laid Off, RIF’d
ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER
Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter is a coach who worked as a recruiter for what seems like one hundred years. He is hired to provide No BS Career Advice globally. That can involve job search, hiring staff, management, leadership, career transition and advice about resolving workplace issues. Schedule a discovery call at my website, www.TheBigGameHunter.us
He is the host of “No BS Job Search Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for job search with over 2500 episodes.
I do a livestream on LinkedIn, and YouTube (on the JobSearchTV.com account) Tuesdays at 1 PM Eastern. You can send your questions about job search, hiring better, management, leadership or to get advice about a workplace issue to me via messaging on LinkedIn or in chat during the approximately 30-minute show.
Website: www.TheBigGameHunter.us (schedule a paid coaching session or free discovery call)
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