Who is planning your next career move?

You are happy with your present employer; your salary and bonus are better than OK; you enjoy the office banter and the camaraderie of Lloyd’s etc. Even so, can you deny that the phrase, “I am calling from a firm of head-hunters. Is this a good time for a conversation?” will get your attention and lead to immediate thoughts of further fame and fortune?

Being head-hunted really is recognition and verification of your status and your achievement. As head-hunters we aim to find the best person to fill a specific vacancy – not the best person who responds to an advert and not the best person who we happen to know, but the best person in the market who is willing and able to make the move.

This is achieved through a detailed and highly process-driven step-by-step research programme – the ‘search’ - which incorporates database interrogation, internet and directory research and a great deal of networking among ‘sources’ and ‘contacts in the market’.

Once potential candidates are identified and informally referenced through the network, the approach call is made. For those who are both suitable and interested, the exchange and assessment of information begins until the right candidate is placed in the right role.

How can you make certain that you will be noticed and approached by a good head-hunter? Obviously, being enthusiastic and good at your job is an advantage. Make the most of the learning opportunities offered by your employer to actively develop your skills. A healthy degree of ambition will stand you in good stead and will make sure you have the desire and drive to keep moving up the ladder. Also make sure you have a plan and a clear focus.

Whether looking for a job or not, being known to a head-hunter is never a bad thing. It will mean that your head-hunter is already actively looking for your next move – and you can bet you will be the first to know when they have found it. So, how can you make sure that you are on the radar screen?

Do your research and identify a good head-hunter. Find out about their operation, their experience and their track-record.
Work hard on your CV. Organise it – Profile; Employment History (beginning with your current role and ending with your first); Education and Qualifications; Personal Details. Keep it simple and no more than three pages. Make it clear what you have done, what you are doing and what you want to do. Be prepared for that approach call.
Know your market. Know your value in terms of skills, knowledge, ability and money – and BE REALISTIC.
Ensure that you have a list of contacts who are willing and able to provide confidential and informal professional references.
Be prepared to become a ‘source’. Assist when you are asked for advice or opinions – though never ‘spill the beans’ on your current employer as it is ‘bad form’ and really not why we are calling - after all we already know of you, so it is likely we will know all about your colleagues too.
Get yourself out there - NETWORK, NETWORK, NETWORK. ‘Showcase’ your skills, your knowledge, your experience. Go to conferences, get on speaker panels, write to the press etc. – take an active part in your market. We do, and that is most likely how we will meet.

When you are fully prepared, contact your carefully chosen head-hunter, meet him / her and begin the process of forging a mutually beneficial and long-term relationship.

You may well think that all this is a sales pitch, building my profile and promoting my business - in essence, “scratch my back and I’ll scratch yours”. Guilty as charged, but remember this, if you combine what you know with who you know, and you make strategic use of a good head-hunter, all you are guilty of is giving yourself a better chance of success.