Business

<< Previous   of   Next >>   ADVERTISEMENT   CONTACT THE HERALD Mike Benbow, Business Editor benbow@heraldnet.com   Published: Wednesday, July 23, 2008 Research recruiters before signing up for their services By Eve Nicholas Question: If you can recommend a good headhunter in the Snohomish County area, I would really appreciate the lead! I have been in sales for the last 25 years, and I can sell an ice cream cone to an Eskimo. B.M., Bothell Answer: It sounds as though you have a solid track record in sales. That's terrific. Talented and experienced salespeople have an advantage when it comes to making a stand-out impression in job interviews and negotiating the best possible compensation. Luckily, your expertise in this field will also help you in finding an honest and goal- oriented headhunter (recruiter). I appreciate your letter and I'd love to assist you, but I simply don't give referrals. In fact, with very few exceptions, I avoid mentioning for-profit job search resources in my column, and that goes for multimillion-dollar corporations as well as independent contractors offering various types of career services. There are lots of nonprofit and for-profit organizations out there, including plenty of headhunters, job boards, career coaches, authors and resume writers that have the qualifications and motivation to guide you along your career path. I know some of them personally. But I won't give you their names. Here's why. People are always looking for new jobs. Every day of the year, employed and unemployed managers, laborers, students, retirees and top-level executives run around asking questions, seeking information, pursuing opportunities in hundreds and thousands of industries all over the globe. This means that job hunters make up a huge market -- a gigantic target audience -- that companies can use for their own gains. Many for-profit companies (and sole proprietors) genuinely care about people who pound the pavement looking for work. They understand that it's difficult to decide on a career direction, conduct research, create a strong resume and reach out to potential bosses. These quality-focused businesses provide knowledgeable services at a fair price. I applaud them. Unfortunately, others take advantage. They manipulate, exploit and over charge. I don't give referrals because I am decidedly against any industry, company or person who mistreats job seekers in any way. Since I don't have time to personally interview and evaluate every business out there, I choose not to "name names" in my column, except in rare circumstances. So, once again, the burden falls on you -- the job hunter -- to roll up your sleeves and get serious about being your own best advocate in the job market. Ask around. Your colleagues and friends can probably recommend recruiters based on their first-hand experience. If this doesn't pan out, find headhunters through newspapers, trade journals or industry-specific Web sites, and research them on your own. When contacting a new company, keep your eyes and ears open. Don't be afraid to request information and voice your concerns. Read contracts carefully. Rely on your assessment skills and instincts to determine if the company (or person) is right for you. By the way, headhunters get paid by the company that hires you, so don't fork over any cash to a recruiting firm. If a recruiter asks you for money, run the other way! A great consultant will listen to you, respect you, and put you at ease through all phases of the job-search process. Don't settle for anything less. Send your job search questions to Eve.GetAJob@gmail.com.

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