How Headhunting Works As A Recruitment Method

If we look at the original meaning of headhunting, it is not so pretty. It’s pretty shocking, actually. But in the modern world, this concept has evolved. In this article, we will therefore tell you how  headhunting works as a popular recruitment method today.

This means looking for the ideal candidate for a job position without the candidate actively seeking employment. It is the headhunter’s job to find people who have profiles that best suit the position.

What is head hunting used for?

It started relatively recently. In the 50’s and 60’s in New York, companies began to use it as a way to find people trained to fill leadership positions. During these years, small headhunting companies flourished in the United States. These later became large multinational headhunting companies.

Today, this method is not used exclusively for high-level candidates. It is mainly used to find people with skills that are difficult to find. It may be that they are scarce in the market, they have high prices, or they have a somewhat unique training, skills and competence.

How headhunting works and how it is performed

The Internet and new technologies have helped tremendously, and in some ways have transformed headhunting. Before, when we were not so “connected”, it was more difficult to find candidates. Those who recruited them had to use their own little black book to look for possible candidates.

But with social media, email and cell phones, the job became far easier. In addition, there are now platforms designed specifically to mark each person’s work, education and experience. With just one glance, you can see if the profile is what you are looking for or not.

It’s like a directory of candidates just a few clicks away. But despite the apparent time savings, headhunting works as a long process that goes through several phases.

Phases of the process of how headhunting works

Companies usually hire headhunting agencies. They give the agency a very specific profile for a position. For this, listening to the customer’s needs is the first step.

• Examining the employee’s profile that the customer needs : They hold various bilateral meetings to determine what the customer wants and does not want. This is the basis of the rest of their work.
• Classification of recruitment sources: social media, contacts, job portals, competition, databases… Headhunters search all their networks, like a headhunt Sherlock Holmes.
• First contact with the candidate : They explain what the position offered entails, the profile they need, and they ask for further information.
• Conducting interviews : These sometimes begin as group interviews, and then continue to individual interviews.

• To create and present a report on the candidate to the client : After mapping the client, they make a small file about the candidates they think are the best.
• Presentation of final candidates to the client : The client will of course have the final say.

From perfume to clothes

In the HR department, a very important aspect is a candidate’s CV or career history. But there is an even more important part: the human character, the non-verbal. They look at everything. From the candidate’s way of shaking hands, to their clothes, their appearance, their attitude in the interview, their perfume, and their way of expressing themselves.

When a headhunter sees all this, they can see if they meet the customer’s needs or not. Rakesh Khurana, who has a doctorate in organizational behavior, says that the work of headhunting professionals is coordination, dissemination and verification. They find out who is talented and who should be allowed in networks that provide access to elite positions.

How headhunting works so well and what the benefits are

There are many benefits to head hunting. Compared to traditional techniques, it saves money and time. What used to take weeks can now only take a few hours. Their personal approach, the way resources are optimized, and their commitment give employers the health and peace of mind they need.

In addition , externalizing the election process makes it more likely that they will find the ideal candidate. Since these headhunting companies are solely dedicated to finding talent, they will do better than any internal HR department.

If the mountain does not reach Muhammad, Muhammad must go to the mountain

If you are unemployed or looking for a job that is better suited to your preferences, why not hunt for headhunters? Why do not you look for headhunters so that they will also “hunt” you ?

First of all , it is a good idea to keep your professional social media profile up to date. Once there, identify the companies you want to work for and filter the search for the positions you want. Look for those responsible for hiring… and add them! Before, you were invisible. But by taking these small steps, it is much more likely that they will keep you in mind for the position you really want. This is how headhunting works and it is quite clear that this is an effective process.