Recruitment Agencies Make Climbing the Corporate Ladder Easier

Searching for your next job? Instead, start searching for the right executive recruiting firm.

It’s that time of year again. You’ve just been informed that your raise will barely cover cost of living increases.  You work hard, after all, and you should be rewarded for it. So what do you do now? Like many other executives in the same situation, you might decide it is time to move on. But where do you begin?

Turning to the Executive Recruiting Solution

You might think that the quickest and most discreet way to start searching for a new job is to dig through online job banks (e.g. Monster.com) from the comfort of your home or office. You may also choose to waste a few hours scouring newspapers and trade journals for job listings. Is this a good use of your time? Rarely. And why does it seem that all the good jobs are already taken? Where can you find the hottest job leads—the ones that may not even be “out there” yet?  Executive recruiting is the solution.

Making the Right Connections

Many people land lucrative positions not only because of talent, but because they know someone on the inside.  Having the right connections can be the deciding factor in whether or not a company will even look at your resume. Unfortunately, we were not all blessed with an uncle who works for the president of our dream company. If networking isn’t your game, you might decide to leave that daunting task to someone else. That’s where executive recruiting agencies can really strut their stuff.

Executive recruiters, or “head hunters,” as you may know them, are search firms that exist purely to find the right job candidates for very specific openings at their client companies. Contacting a consultant in executive recruiting is a smart shortcut for anyone looking to make a move.  And the best thing about them is that do not charge you a fee for their services. Executive recruitment firms are hired by organizations that have open positions and are paid by them--usually a fee that is equivalent to a percent of the job’s first year salary.

Knowing if the Executive Recruiting Solution is for You

As mentioned before, companies hire executive recruiters to find you because they have the skills—and the executive recruiting software—to do so. Be wary of so-called employment agencies. While they may tout themselves as “search firms,” this type of company is different from executive recruiting services. They will ask you to pay them. Unlike executive recruiters, who typically do not offer career counseling or resume services, employment agencies may charge you a hefty sum of money to do just that. And after they help you tweak your credentials, they may offer you a bunch of job leads and send you on your merry way. Not exactly the option you were hoping for. Executive recruiters are rarely the solution for entry-level positions (or fry cooks). Usually they place junior and mid-level executives. However, there are plenty of agencies that also cater to senior management (Vice President, CEO) positions as well. You just need to know where to look.

Finding A Legitimate Executive Recruiter is Easier than You Think

Certainly, you are free to try to find an executive recruiting firm by looking online. You can find dozens and dozens of search firms that advertise online. But rather than spending time reading about one agency that sounds perfect—until you find out they only place “healthcare talent” (when you’re looking for financial management)—there is another option. If you have the time, go to the library (or to amazon.com) and check out the Directory of Executive Recruiters, also known as  “The Red Book.”  This book has it all:  a comprehensive list of executive recruiting firms organized by geographical location and business category (e.g. healthcare, etc.).

A Step In the Right Direction