canadian headhunter

Secrets of the Headhunters


VIA Job Search 2004 we come upon an excerpt from a WSJ article on how an executive search consultant conducted his job search:

A Headhunter's Job Search
December 22, 2004; Page D1

When headhunter Victor Arias was interviewing for his new job, he came armed with mini files on the 10 people that he wanted to speak to, from the CEO on down. His leather-bound notebook held handwritten notes and Web pages on each person -- and he made sure they saw this material so they knew he'd done his research.

Mr. Arias, who wound up taking the job as a partner at the executive-search firm Heidrick & Struggles, also turned the tables on his inquisitors: He asked them to tell him the worst thing he'd hear about them when he called their references.

But his first question to them didn't have anything to do with references -- or titles or corner offices. He wanted to know where they were from. He feels more comfortable working with people who value their past. When he finally brought up compensation several interviews later, Mr. Arias had a list of 20 discussion items, from bonuses to stock. Afterward, he sent an e-mail to the point-person recapping the conversation."

Now that's preparation. I don't know that you need to be that prepared for every interview (you can't get information on everyone from the corporate website) but certainly it helps to conduct your job search in a similar fashion.

There is no link to the article because WSJ doesn't have any free content online - you have to pay for it all. So you'll have to find a back issue.