Responding to an executive recruiter
- Have a clear career game plan and job-changing mindset before you get the call. This includes always having an up-to-date resume.
- Be open but cautious.
- Ask questions to help you determine the recruiter's legitimacy, credibility, reputation and modus operandi (i.e. contingency or retainer, exclusive assignment or not, professional affiliations, office location).
- Never stretch the truth about job experience, education, income.
- Bow out early if you're really not interested; offer to be a resource if not a candidate.
- Do your homework on the client organization, once identified. If available study the investor section on the company's website
- Don't play hard to get. Keep appointments, return calls, cooperate.
- Sign the reference-checking authorization if presented: it proves you have nothing to hide.
- Cover yourself at work: despite all precautions and confidentiality, slip-ups sometimes occur. Inform your superiors you're always getting calls from search consultants, but that this doesn't mean you're looking.
- Don't cultivate an offer just to get leverage where you are: it is a short-term, self-serving strategy that usually backfires.
- Of a large number of potential candidates uncovered in initial research, a small group will make the first cut, three to five will be finalists, one will get the job. Don't take it personally: the search process aims for a perfect fit, and it's probably in your best interests anyway.
- Don't burn your bridges: with the consultant or with your present employer.
- While compensated by the hiring organization, the search consultant is also your advocate, and (s)he has a stake in your success.