How to get noticed by headhunters?
10 May 2010
Read by 2079 persons
Few candidates today think to contact recruitment agencies. How can you get noticed by these very specific recruiters? You have to hunt the hunters!
You are looking for a job, and every day you scour job postings while browsing social media. Why not use a headhunting agency, which could find you your dream job? Contrary to popular belief, this recruitment method is becoming less and less exclusive to executives and is becoming more widespread. However, this type of job search also has its specificities and constraints.
Develop your network to get noticed
Headhunters have their networks, their sources of information, their channels. How can you cross their path and get noticed? The best way is to activate your networks, both internal and external.
In your company, first, start by discreetly discussing this with your colleagues (preferably those you trust!). One of them may be a headhunter's "special agent." "Word of mouth allows headhunters to create allies in different companies and to refer candidates. Headhunters do a kind of lobbying to get in touch with these people, not to recruit them, but to use them as relays. They choose people who are comfortable with networking," says Alexandre Xiradakis, marketing manager of Career Builder, the new parent company of Lesjeudis.com.
Outside your company, use online social networks. Networking, one of the oldest professions in the world, is one of the main keys to the hunt. And today, most headhunters are members of these virtual networks, even if they remain discreet. These networks allow them to hide their profile, so as not to be harassed by "undesirable" candidates.
Participate in specialized forums
Where should you register? While the big names constantly reappear – LinkedIn, Viadeo, Xing, etc. – a few more confidential networks are also worth checking out. As for Facebook, it is "not yet sufficiently oriented towards the IT sector," considers Alexandre Xiradakis. One of the main active networks in France – Viadeo – has even set up a platform for recruiters, who search the "profile library." To appear in their search results, two things are essential: firstly, you must indicate that you are open to job offers. Secondly, you must carefully craft the content of your description: keywords, company names… Don't settle for a short bio anymore!
But simply filling out your profile on these sites is not enough. Show your dynamism and professionalism by participating in hubs (specialized forums). Again, the choice of topics is fundamental. In addition to those related to your main skills, some forums related to your (admissible!) passions or interests allow headhunters to get a clearer picture of your personality.
Forums, blogs... Make yourself visible online
You're in luck: in the ICT sector more than anywhere else, recruiters and headhunters are willing to be imaginative to hire. Whether it's blogs, specialized forums, or virtual events organized on Second Life or Monster, they're everywhere. Take advantage of it! Don't neglect any opportunity to make yourself visible in all your aspects!
In IT, the oldest and most proven method is the technical or specialized online forum. It allows you to show your skills and your character. "Proper attire required," however: rude or aggressive comments will irremediably harm you. Some forums, like the 01net forum, allow you to participate under a pseudonym, but be careful, clever recruiters are able to trace you…
Standing out from the crowd
On forums, headhunters discreetly watch, but are sometimes violently rejected by members who prefer to remain among themselves and consider their intervention "off-topic." "IT professionals are very willing to go to forums to learn and possibly participate, to share their expertise. But recruiters are less well received at the moment," notes Alexandre Xiradakis, marketing manager of Career Builder, parent company of Lesjeudis.com.
Blogs are also a way for IT professionals to stand out and present themselves as experts in a field. A quality blog, correctly updated, is a major asset in this market. And in the IT sector, headhunters do not hesitate to consult them.
Monitor your online reputation
Generally speaking, showing yourself online, whatever method you use, can be costly. Any recruiter can "Google" you. So the best thing to do is to type your name in quotes into a search engine and monitor the results. Remember that the law gives you the right to demand the removal of any mention of your name that could harm you. Simply write to the webmaster.
On social networks, in particular, a few rules, specific to each site, are necessary to surf anonymously and avoid being noticed by your boss when you want to remain discreet. On Viadeo, for example, you must uncheck the box "Yes, I want to see who views my profile." But in exchange, you will no longer be able to see the list of professionals – and possibly recruiters – who have viewed your profile. That's the principle of the network!
By Corinne Zerbib
Published on August 20, 2009
Posted online on May 10, 2010
01Net
You are looking for a job, and every day you scour job postings while browsing social media. Why not use a headhunting agency, which could find you your dream job? Contrary to popular belief, this recruitment method is becoming less and less exclusive to executives and is becoming more widespread. However, this type of job search also has its specificities and constraints.
Develop your network to get noticed
Headhunters have their networks, their sources of information, their channels. How can you cross their path and get noticed? The best way is to activate your networks, both internal and external.
In your company, first, start by discreetly discussing this with your colleagues (preferably those you trust!). One of them may be a headhunter's "special agent." "Word of mouth allows headhunters to create allies in different companies and to refer candidates. Headhunters do a kind of lobbying to get in touch with these people, not to recruit them, but to use them as relays. They choose people who are comfortable with networking," says Alexandre Xiradakis, marketing manager of Career Builder, the new parent company of Lesjeudis.com.
Outside your company, use online social networks. Networking, one of the oldest professions in the world, is one of the main keys to the hunt. And today, most headhunters are members of these virtual networks, even if they remain discreet. These networks allow them to hide their profile, so as not to be harassed by "undesirable" candidates.
Participate in specialized forums
Where should you register? While the big names constantly reappear – LinkedIn, Viadeo, Xing, etc. – a few more confidential networks are also worth checking out. As for Facebook, it is "not yet sufficiently oriented towards the IT sector," considers Alexandre Xiradakis. One of the main active networks in France – Viadeo – has even set up a platform for recruiters, who search the "profile library." To appear in their search results, two things are essential: firstly, you must indicate that you are open to job offers. Secondly, you must carefully craft the content of your description: keywords, company names… Don't settle for a short bio anymore!
But simply filling out your profile on these sites is not enough. Show your dynamism and professionalism by participating in hubs (specialized forums). Again, the choice of topics is fundamental. In addition to those related to your main skills, some forums related to your (admissible!) passions or interests allow headhunters to get a clearer picture of your personality.
Forums, blogs... Make yourself visible online
You're in luck: in the ICT sector more than anywhere else, recruiters and headhunters are willing to be imaginative to hire. Whether it's blogs, specialized forums, or virtual events organized on Second Life or Monster, they're everywhere. Take advantage of it! Don't neglect any opportunity to make yourself visible in all your aspects!
In IT, the oldest and most proven method is the technical or specialized online forum. It allows you to show your skills and your character. "Proper attire required," however: rude or aggressive comments will irremediably harm you. Some forums, like the 01net forum, allow you to participate under a pseudonym, but be careful, clever recruiters are able to trace you…
Standing out from the crowd
On forums, headhunters discreetly watch, but are sometimes violently rejected by members who prefer to remain among themselves and consider their intervention "off-topic." "IT professionals are very willing to go to forums to learn and possibly participate, to share their expertise. But recruiters are less well received at the moment," notes Alexandre Xiradakis, marketing manager of Career Builder, parent company of Lesjeudis.com.
Blogs are also a way for IT professionals to stand out and present themselves as experts in a field. A quality blog, correctly updated, is a major asset in this market. And in the IT sector, headhunters do not hesitate to consult them.
Monitor your online reputation
Generally speaking, showing yourself online, whatever method you use, can be costly. Any recruiter can "Google" you. So the best thing to do is to type your name in quotes into a search engine and monitor the results. Remember that the law gives you the right to demand the removal of any mention of your name that could harm you. Simply write to the webmaster.
On social networks, in particular, a few rules, specific to each site, are necessary to surf anonymously and avoid being noticed by your boss when you want to remain discreet. On Viadeo, for example, you must uncheck the box "Yes, I want to see who views my profile." But in exchange, you will no longer be able to see the list of professionals – and possibly recruiters – who have viewed your profile. That's the principle of the network!
By Corinne Zerbib
Published on August 20, 2009
Posted online on May 10, 2010
01Net
