Anyone been headhunted?

Stheno

And I don't mean by random agency calls.

I met a peer recently who advised they were recruiting and asked if I was interested, I replied that I was, and we'd a short conversation about it.

That turned into me having a chat with their boss, covering compensation, background etc, which ended in, we'd like to have you on board, asap.

Followed by an email saying we'd like to progress this in days rather than weeks (this has been in the past week), no interviews nothing, more really based on past knowledge of working together etc.

Does that sound right? I'd be delighted to take on the role it's a huge opportunity for me, and tbh one I'd not have gotten if it wasn't for them knowing me and my previous background, just the first time it's happened.

theballz

Been approached directly on a few occasions from a few different high profile companies,
it is flattering but never let it give you a big head, depending on your industry and the company your speaking to it is quite common these days.

Companies don't like waiting for applicants.

Penny Tration

Sounds fairly normal, I've had it happen, although never took the jobs offered.

Usually it's because they know you'd be able for the job, probably require minimal training and therefore can knuckle down to work fairly quickly.

helimachoptor

Echo the above, if you left a good impression with your peers then it'll happen sooner or later when they are in companies that need positions filled

theballz

It sounds like a relatively small company considering you didn't have to do an interview,
When I was "headhunted" I was directly approached and told they have a position for me but also informed me that I had still have an on-site "interview" which was more of a chat basically,
It was down to just ticking boxes, multinationals have to do such.

yop

Once and unfortunately it "blurred the lines" so to speak as it did give me a big head as the guy would be deemed as a very successful entrepreneur, but he was asked to do so for a mate. Turned out very badly in the end and I left a very good job for them as all the bells and whistles seemed very good, but alas they weren't.
As said, its a great boost for you but just make sure you have a clear head and understand why they are and what they are offering.

Ray Palmer

There is one company that have being chasing me to join them for about 2 years now. Timing just always seems off missing each other by a couple of days when changing contract. I have never met them in person but I worked with people in the company a few times so they seem very happy that I would fit in.

They have now said when my contract ends they will hire me and then figure out what to do with me as they don't want to miss me again. Very nice thing to hear. They said they will pay me the top rates too

LinkedIn direct contacts happens a lot but can be hit and miss with what they are looking for. Pathetically low offers, relocations, complete misunderstanding of what I do and what they need. It's can be a bit strange

ABajaninCork

Happened once in London. I was approached by a rival telecoms company who wanted someone to set up and run their new Accounts office -onboarding account managers, setting up reporting systems, designing KPI reporting and so on. Wasn't a bog standard Sales Support job, and I would have to make the job my own. Had a chat on the phone, met the HR person for coffee, offer made. All was good.

Didn't take the role, as I stupidly allowed my mother to talk me out of it. Same thing happened with a job I was offered in Barbados working for C & Wireless Marketing. :

What happened to you is normal (well in London, anyway. Never been lucky enough to have it happen here!). Mind you - get the contract agreed and in your hand BEFORE you burn any bridges!!

Congrats and Good Luck!

flutered

yeah several times back in the day, some i took a few that i refused, no contracts back then, both gave their word and a handshake sealed the deal, different nowdays i assume.

Blue Whale

I was "headhunted" on LinkedIn for a potential graduate role.

Turns out I didn`t have enough leaving cert points so they could not take the application further. :pac:

Eoin

I get a few requests from internal recruiters on LinkedIn - but some of them aren't bothering to read the profiles properly before they send an email. Some interesting emails as well though.

Given that agencies still get over 10% of the candidate's salary, it can be well worth a company's time in giving LinkedIn a go to recruit.

I think I'd be wary of any company who didn't request an interview.

Stheno

theballz wrote: »

It sounds like a relatively small company considering you didn't have to do an interview,
When I was "headhunted" I was directly approached and told they have a position for me but also informed me that I had still have an on-site "interview" which was more of a chat basically,
It was down to just ticking boxes, multinationals have to do such.

It's a very small company tbh, and the circumstances after I think about it make sense that I didn't have a physical interview, I did have two phone interviews

Thanks to you all.

Celly Smunt

Have been a few times,it's an easier way of bumping up your salary a little.I've managed to add a couple of grand a year onto mine every time i've been head hunted.

Basic economics,Demand up Price up :P

sky2424

It's easier to headhunt a candidate who you know, is not only capable, but is a good fit for the company.

Interviews can be very unreliable- it's effectively an hour or two of people on both sides of the table selling themselves and presenting the best version of theirself.

If i were an employer, Id headhunt where possible. Far better chance of getting the right person if you have more rounded knowledge/experience of them.

Interviews are just a formality. I wouldn't place so much emphasis on them.

theballz

Stheno wrote: »

It's a very small company tbh, and the circumstances after I think about it make sense that I didn't have a physical interview, I did have two phone interviews

Thanks to you all.

Makes sense, they could of been looking to fill a role quickly. Not trying to discredit you in anyway btw, their is a high volume of highlu qualified people out of work and the fact they approached you says alot.

I hope it works out well for you!

kerry4sam

I've only been head-hunted to volunteer for charity-work. I missed a call from a number (turned out to be organiser), returned call rang out, they phoned me again ... on an on for few days missing each other.

Eventually the head of the charity sent me an email asking me to assist them. Now, I've never met either of these two people before but they were insistent on speaking with me and getting my assistance with some voluntary work which I obliged with

That's the only time I was head-hunted,
kerry4sam


/now, in saying that, I do know of some people who are after my head right now, but that's for another reason!

Eoin

sky2424 wrote: »

It's easier to headhunt a candidate who you know, is not only capable, but is a good fit for the company.

Interviews can be very unreliable- it's effectively an hour or two of people on both sides of the table selling themselves and presenting the best version of theirself.

If i were an employer, Id headhunt where possible. Far better chance of getting the right person if you have more rounded knowledge/experience of them.

Interviews are just a formality. I wouldn't place so much emphasis on them.

But surely an interview is just part of the recruitment process after headhunting, they're not really alternatives to each other. I'd just consider headhunting to be to identify and contact candidates rather than just want for applications to come in.

Unless the company and the candidate are very well known to each other, I'd be surprised that both parties would want to go in blind.

sky2424

Eoin wrote: »

But surely an interview is just part of the recruitment process after headhunting, they're not really alternatives to each other. I'd just consider headhunting to be to identify and contact candidates rather than just want for applications to come in.

Unless the company and the candidate are very well known to each other, I'd be surprised that both parties would want to go in blind.

The OP passed comment about the fact that s/he didn't have a physical interview and queried if this sounded right. Thats why in this instance I was treating the actual headhunting as an alternative to a physical interview.

I'm a bit confused by your second point though? In the traditional interview sense, where an employer receives applications (most likely in a bigger company, from people that they don't know), I'd argue that the employer/candidate is to a degree 'going in blind'.

With the best will in the world, some probing in an interview, background/reference check, you still dont really know how a candidate (who you've no prior history/interaction with) will fit into your company or if theyre really as capable as much as they've sold themselves in the interview. And Vice Versa.

I always find the first few weeks in a new role very telling, both for the candidate and the employer.

sky2424

sky2424 wrote: »

The OP passed comment about the fact that s/he didn't have a physical interview and queried if this sounded right. Thats why in this instance I was treating the actual headhunting as an alternative to a physical interview.

I'm a bit confused by your second point though? In the traditional interview sense, where an employer receives applications (most likely in a bigger company, from people that they don't know), I'd argue that the employer/candidate is to a degree 'going in blind'.

With the best will in the world, some probing in an interview, background/reference check, you still dont really know how a candidate (who you've no prior history/interaction with) will fit into your company or if theyre really as capable as much as they've sold themselves in the interview. And Vice Versa.

I always find the first few weeks in a new role very telling, both for the candidate and the employer.

I should add that I view interviews (whete there have been no prior interactions between an employer/candidate) as the equivalent of a snapshot at a point in time. Whereasif your head hunted, the employer most likely has had various interactions with you and has a more balanced opinion of you on account of the number of earlier interactions over a course of time.

Royal Legend

It happens me at least once a year. Only ever jumped once, more money, perks etc, but alas the grass always looks greener on the other side, lasted two years, but it was an ok move at the wrong time (economic downturn)
I get sounded out quite a bit, but I am very happy where I am at present and tell anyone that asks me just that.
The most important thing is to look beyond the money and the perks and ask yourself where do I want to be in 5 years time and what do I really want to do and does my present job fit into my future plans.
P.S. I earn less now than I did 5 years ago, but am very happy in my current job, here 3 years so far and can see this one lasting 10 years plus, with loads of room for advancement.

Eoin

sky2424 wrote: »

I always find the first few weeks in a new role very telling, both for the candidate and the employer.

Absolutely - but by that stage you've already turned down other applicants, possibly invested in training and it can be disruptive to show someone the door and start the hiring process all over again.

You want to do as much due diligence as possible before that. So again, that's really just another step in the process, not an alternative. Some crap people are good at interviewing, and some good people are crap at it - so it's definitely not a guarantee.

sky2424 wrote: »

I'm a bit confused by your second point though? In the traditional interview sense, where an employer receives applications (most likely in a bigger company, from people that they don't know), I'd argue that the employer/candidate is to a degree 'going in blind'.

I meant actually starting a job with only a chat on the phone. Maybe it's just me, but if I was being sounded out for a job, I'd want to know what their set-up is like, meet them in person etc. And certainly as a hiring manager, I'd want to meet someone in person. If nothing else, to make sure the person that turns up on day one is the person I actually spoke to!

sky2424 wrote:

Whereasif your head hunted, the employer most likely has had various interactions with you and has a more balanced opinion of you on account of the number of earlier interactions over a course of time.

I'm not sure that's the majority of the time though. I'd say it's more likely they've just searched for people who match what they're looking for who might not be actively looking for a move, and therefore wouldn't apply themselves.

Exceptions being the likes of high profile staff who might be well known in the industry, or, as you said, people you've worked with before.

camel jockey

Yes, that's how I got my current job. I was approached by a former employer through a mutual acquaintance, a couple of quick phone chats, he invited me to call in to the office, we had a longer chat, entirely informal / shoot the breeze / catch up, a bit about the role, a chat with HR, and a very competitive formal job offer the next day.

I didn't interview for my previous role either, I let it be known to a former manager that I was 'open to offers' and following a few phone calls on the specific sort of role I was looking for I got a job offer that I accepted.

Stheno

Just an update on this, due to various circumstances, the offer was delayed (on both sides)

However today, a formal offer was made and accepted.

As it's an area I'm very keen to work in I was delighted
I'll never underestimate the power of networking in the future, which is how this opportunity came about.

ABajaninCork

Congratulations!! *shakes hand to see if the luck will rub off*

Very best of luck in your new role - Enjoy!

Stheno

Thanks

I'm still a bit gobsmacked tbh if that makes any sense, it's an area I've targetted as wanting to get into, that will add massively to my cv and with a company I'd love to work with.

the_syco

Stheno wrote: »

Thanks

I'm still a bit gobsmacked tbh if that makes any sense

Getting headhunted for somewhere you want to work probably would do that Congrats!

Stheno wrote: »

I met a peer recently who advised they were recruiting and asked if I was interested, I replied that I was, and we'd a short conversation about it.

That turned into me having a chat with their boss, covering compensation, background etc, which ended in, we'd like to have you on board, asap.

Followed by an email saying we'd like to progress this in days rather than weeks (this has been in the past week), no interviews nothing, more really based on past knowledge of working together etc.

On the point of no interviews; I find that if you're talking to someone who wants you to work for them (or you want to work for them), it's an interview. Maybe not a "in suits" formal interview, but an interview nonetheless.