Connecting with executive recruiters and search firms who specialize in your career field can be beneficial to your job search. Executive recruiters work primarily with candidates that have prior work experience, but there are some exceptions. These recruiters will assist you in your job search as well as expose you to new opportunities. Below are some helpful tips in identifying recruiters and search firms.
Think about your own network. Experienced professionals may have worked with recruiters at some point in their careers. Ask the most senior professionals in your network for referrals.
Look at the companies and organizations that interest you. Inquire about which firms the employers of these companies use.
Reach out to recruiters and assist them by recommending colleagues for positions they are seeking to fill.
Join professional associations and review trade publications. Many recruiters belong to an association in their specialty area. If you become a member, you will have access to membership lists which will enable you to network.
Network with recruiters on sites such as LinkedIn.com and Doostang.com. To find a recruiter’s profile on LinkedIn, for example, in the search bar at the top of the home page for members, enter “staffing and recruiting.”
Familiarize yourself with recruiter directories, some are free and some for paid subscription.
RecruiterLink.com (free)
onlineRecruitersDirectory.com (free)
searchfirm.com (free)
i-recruit.com (free)
RecruitersConnection (available for subscription)
BlueSteps.com (available for subscription)
Many professional associations have directories arranged by interest area or specialty.
The Association of Executive Search Consultants
The Association of Professional Recruitment Consultants
The International Executive Search Federation
Executive Recruiters Association
Recruiter Networks
Keep in mind, working with an executive recruiter or search firm does not replace your own diligent management of your job search.
The Office of Career Strategy does not have direct experience with these organizations and does not directly endorse any of their services.
