A phone call from a headhunter may be an exciting experience for many professionals. When the phone rings, the candidate may be wondering if this is a viable or realistic offer. Understanding the reason for a headhunters call can go a long way to answering that question.
First, a headhunter contacts an individual to determine the candidate’s interest level in the position. The contact may come in the form of an email, a social media contact, or a phone call at work. The person contacted should remain calm. The recruit should refrain from drawing attention to the fact that they were contacted by a headhunter. Even if the recruit is not interested in the position, there may be other positions available in the future. Therefore, all correspondence should be formal, professional, polite and courteous. Second, the candidate should keep in mind the contact is not an interview. Rather, it is notification that a job is available. The recruiter is contacting the person to determine if that person is able to meet the qualifications of the position. Candidates should remain open-minded through the discussion. Finally, after the phone call is over, the potential recruit should research the organization to ensure its viability.
In summary, headhunters contacts individuals to develop a list of potential candidates for the company hiring. The initial phone call should not be construed as an offer for a position or an interview. Instead, it should be viewed as a professional networking opportunity. The potential candidate then has the chance to develop a positive and professional relationship with the headhunter. This can lead to additional job prospects.
Steve Blythe (Recruitment and Social Media Commentator).