headhunting

whippet

I have just got a phone call out of the blue from a 'headhunter' looking for a more appropriate time to call me.

he didn't want to give information on where he got my details, however I have been in the industry for a good number of years so finding my details wouldn't be hard.

Really what I want to know is: can these people be trusted if they won't give back information? Is is a good idea to talk to them? I reckon I could trust my current employer that they haven't set this up as a sting.

has anyone any experience with dealing with these people?

Iago

If they are serious then they will give you information on the next call you take.

I was headhunted by a company working for a rival telecoms firm about 18 months ago, on the call they were very cagey but when I met up with them they gave me full information on the company, position, role and salary/package plan. I didn't take it in the end, but it's great to get the recognition. In my case they had received my name from an ex-colleague who they had placed in another company.

I'd say it's worth taking the call, try and get some information out of them early on, but it's probably above board.

grumpytrousers

He's not really a headhunter as such. A Headhunter, as i understand it, is somebody from Firm B who approaches you while you're at Firm A and asks you if you want to move...cos you've been recommended (probably by a former colleague!)

Unless there was specific talk of a specific job (or that becomes apparant when you find a more 'convenient time) you probably had a recruitment agent on the phone. He'll want your details and maybe meet you for a chat and discuss where you're going, where you're career is going and how you're finding it where you are. If there's anything stirring he might be able to sort you out with something.

On the other hand - and make no mistake about this - they work on a commission basis. He is not interested in your career well-being per se. He wants to get you a different (not necessarily better!!!) job so he gets a healthy amount of wedge for the first few months you're there.

YOu may find you're dealing with a cowboy who will try and sell you, who may be a software tester, as an SQL database expert. In other words, they'll tend chuck everybody on their books at random interviews on the grounds that it costs THEM, as intermediaries, nothing they may be quids in at the end.

Do you talk to them? I would. I would be cagey about passing on friends information (they'll probably ask, so as to have more names on the books) and just see what kind of stuff comes your way. If the job specs he tries to put your way seem relevant then you're in clover and have lost nothing.

Regarding your boss - relax. Everybody moves jobs and changes. Keep doing what you're meant to do. The occasional 10 minute confidential chat on your mobile outside the office won't get you fired; what will tend to happen - if anything - is your guvnor may well think that somebody else out there wants you.

Not necessarily that you want a new employer, but he's not to know that....

whippet

he did say that it was for a specific job.

The timing is very apt mind you, I have been thinking of looking around, I am with the same company for five years at this stage and have been getting itchy feet.

I suppose a chat can't hurt and as a sales person myself I should be able to filter out the crap that they will probably try to spout (yes us sales people know all about spouting crap !! )

Newshound

Recruitment agents will have specific jobs they need to fill and will ask others they know to tell them about people who work in that area. They will then contact these people, making it sound like they are specifcally interested in them, when they aren't.

People get calls like this all the time and like to think that they are being headhunted. Its a good feeling, but completely false in the headhunting word. But after it happens a few times you realise the situation.

eg Cavan Co Co needs a binman. Agent rings all the binmen on his books. All working happliy and dont want to move so asks them do they know any other binmen that might be interested. He then calls these binmen to harvest their CVs.

A headhunter will contact you about a job he has. You already have this job and his job is to convince you to take it. This generally only happens with MDs or directors in high profile comanies etc.

Dont worry about your boos finding out. No agency will contact you through your boss.

fenris

I have recently moved thanks to a call from a headhunter (just as I got back to my desk after a particularly psychotic episode from my previous boss, talk about timing). The headhunter was fantastic, would not reveal where my name came from but gave me full info about the new role, primed me before interviews on my new companies requirements, reviewed my CV and provided advice on how to talk about individual sections of my CV. Post interview I got loads of feedback on where I did well and what I need to strenghten in my next interview.

In other words go for it if you feel the role is right, and don't forget that they came knocking on your door. When asked in my final interview by a senior exec "why did you apply to join this company" I could reply that "You rang me and asked me to join", changed the whole feeling of the interview from inquisition to meeting.

Iago

Recruitment agencies will normally tell you they are recruitment agencies though, headhunters will say they're headhunters.

Certainly in my case it was a company on a retainer for a rival and when I met them I was handed a contract and told the job was mine for the taking, it was a very specific position though so maybe that had something to do with it.

whippet

sure I'll let you know what they say later on !! should be interesting

kluivert

Be Carefull!!!!

Think about this from the point of view of the company that is approaching you.

Are they in the same industry as the company that you work for now. A Competitor.

Some companies are known for doing this in order to get information on their competitor from their very own employees through means such as job interviews for job positions that suddenly get withdrawn. If your following me.

The interview panel will ask questions in the hope of gaining ideas that you have experience in your current employment and use that to their advantage in order to regain or catch up on the competitive gap between your current employer and them.

So be carefull.....You get nothing for nothing in this world. Just a kick in the ass when it goes wrong.

whippet

I have done an interview before with a competitor and in fairness with sales people it all tends to be about customer that you can bring with you etc...

Don't worry, there is not a chance in hell that I would even be inclined to divulge any info on my accounts etc...

whippet

Well .. I had a good chat with a very nice lad. There is a specific job in question, not a competitor, sort of a different industry but somewhat similar.

They want to build a current CV with me and put me forward.

I must say I was somewhat flattered, they got my name through someone I have had a lot of dealings with over the last few years and it is nice to get some recognition.

I reckon I will get the CV together and see what happens.