What’s in a title?
I was explaining to someone recently what I do for a living. Depending who I talk to, I sometimes use the word ‘Recruiter’ and at other times, ‘Headhunter’. Both terms it appears, carry quite different perceptions but on this occasion, I coined the phrase ‘ recruiting headhunter’. Maybe I needed to blur the preconception.
So, I decided to consult our good friend Google for the dictionary definitions. A headhunter is: a person who identifies and approaches suitable candidates employed elsewhere to fill business positions. A Recruiter on the other hand is defined as: a person whose job is to find new people to join a company, an organisation, the armed forces, etc
What does that make me then? My actual day to day job is a bit of both. And this is how it plays out if you are a Business:
You would typically brief me on a role you are looking to fill and
We’d meet (Covid-19 restrictions permitting) at your office for me to get a feel for the working environment
I would ask you loads of questions about the role itself, your ideal candidate and where they may currently (or not) be working
We would agree timescales, deliverables and staged payment terms
I would arrange interviews, reference checking and start dates
We would work together throughout the Search process
And if you are a Candidate, I would find you via my own extensive network via LinkedIn or from a Jobsboard where you would have posted your CV
After making contact, we’d arrange an initial call to discuss the role I need to fill
If we both (remember it’s a collaborative process) feel you’re suited to the job AND the business, we’d set up a video call or face to face meeting
Once invited for interview, I’d hold your hand through the entire process and keep you updated on progress at every stage
Once offered, I’d help you negotiate where appropriate on salary and/or package
My main aim, whether you are a business or a candidate, is to forget about my title and just think of me as Amanda – that person who matches the right person with the right job with the right business and who works collaboratively with you throughout the process.
