That’s exactly my point, and Anne is spot on in her article. It’s all good that you want to speak to the headhunter, but honestly your odds are better if you take the phone and call the people you know.
Take your box of business cards, then pick up one by one and call. Tell the person that you will soon be available and if he/she knows anyone who could use a talent like yourself.
With some exceptions, like those candidates who are in an official Career Transition programme, headhunters will only call you, if they have a client looking for your kind of expertise. That’s why they tell: Don’t call us, we’ll call you! Read my old story on this subject: Why headhunters don’t call
It takes two to Tango, one client connecting with one candidate. A recruiter with a candidate but no client will not help you.
If you want to be on the radar of those search firms that Forbes ranks among the Top 10, submit your resume to (in alphabetic order): Boyden, Egon Zehnder, Heidrick, Korn Ferry, Russell Reynolds, and Spencer Stuart. Only Boyden and Heidrick are in Thailand; the others in nearby Singapore.
Once you have submitted your resume, cross your fingers, pray and wish for a miracle. In the meantime, get out and network, call your connections. Good luck.
I often tell my clients that they will most likely get their next role through who they know rather than through their qualification or work experience. The role you are seeking may never hit the market.
It is estimated that between 70 to 85% of people find their next career opportunity through their network, or their network’s network.
So, if you are being strategic, where should you spend your resources to get the best return on investment?
Common-sense says that you should be focusing your career transition efforts connecting with others.
While LinkedIn, Google and social media should all be part of your overall career exploration strategy, it’s the face-to-face career conversations that will make all the difference. Widen your network of people who can potentially help. Connect with others, be vocal about your interests and career goals.
