1. Know what you want
Successful organis-ations rarely want generalists in charge, so you’ll have to identify what you want to gain reputation in – setting up new companies, planning mergers, troubleshooting, strategic planning, cost-cutting, and so on. The best thing you can have going for you is to be acknowledged by your peers as being good at what you do.
2. Assess demand for your skills
Supply and demand applies to headhunting. If you can satisfy demand or create new one for your services, you’re in the box seat and have progressed long way toward attracting an offer.
3. Keep check on your track record
Results, not ego, will get the reputation you want. Remember, success requires just three things – knowing where you are now, knowing where you want to be, and each day in some way progressing along the path to where you want to be.
4. Maintain quality networks
Whom you know, or more importantly who knows you, does make difference. All decisions ultimately come down to subjective assessments. Do I like this person? Are they respected by their peers? Do they get on well with others? Could I rely on them in crisis?
Such issues as these are why the network is so essential. This doesn’t mean you should rush out and join every club or professional association, but it’s important that you find rewarding ways to associate with individuals and groups who are positioned to help you satisfy your career aspirations.
5. Be prepared – always
Be ready when that opening occurs. Remain up-to-date in your field. Keep your CV current. And don’t despair: Pope John XXXIII accepted the top position in the world’s largest organisation at age 76, and made one of the greatest contributions in the history of the Papacy. So be ready for when your moment of glory arrives.
6. Make things happen
You’ll just grow old if you wait around hoping for the call. It’s your actions that’ll make difference. Drive your own bus and tell others only those things you want made public.
7. Make yourself visible
You must attract the attention of the headhunter. Try these strategies:
? Publish in trade journals and the press.
? Deliver speeches at public meetings, service clubs and professional conferences.
? Make good name for yourself by being newsworthy and active in professional, community, and social affairs.
? Think, on behalf of your company, of public relations ideas that will indirectly have you quoted in newspapers or trade journals as the author of the ideas.
? Keep doing good job.
? Cultivate professional contacts. Headhunters always have an ear to the corporate grapevine.
8. Establish your own home page
The Internet is good way to promote yourself to larger audience. Design site that presents you to the national and international business community.
9. As last resorte
Still no phonecall? Then introduce yourself to headhunter – send resumŽ, wait week, then phone for an interview. If you get one and you just may if vacancy exists in your area, follow-up with thank you note and short reiteration of your current situation – don’t follow up with phone call.
Remember, headhunters work for client organisations, not you.
Even if you miss out on your preferred position, the headhunter may be sufficiently impressed to come calling on you the next time position becomes available.
