“How to register with top executive search firms ?” – We have heard this question a number of times, and in this post we try to place our thoughts on the question and related aspects.
It’s quite easy to answer this question. Let’s follow a simple structure:
- Step 1: Identify the concerned search firms.
- Step 2: Visit their web site.
- Step 3: Find the page from where you can register or submit your resume.
- Step 4: Register, create you profile or upload your resume.
Do the above steps sound sensible to you ?
These would have answered the question for many. If they have not answered your question, let’s move to rest of this post. Let’s try to approach the question in a different way.
Let’s rephrase and interpret the idea behind the above question as:
- “How do i get headhunted ?”
- “How do i get good opportunities to land up on my table ?”
- “How do i get a great job ?”
What works ? Some of our thoughts and suggestions:
- You don’t really need to register with top executive search firms to be visible for an opportunity. It may or may not help.
- You need to be good at what you do. This is most important. It makes sense that there are others who vouch for your expertise, potential and ability to deliver.
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You need to be well networked. This helps head hunters / search firms reach you by way of their research and referrals. It helps to be connected.
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You need to be visible. It helps the executive search guys to be able to trace you in a shorter span of time. Now a days online visibility is easy – through social media, platforms like LinkedIn etc. Alternatively, if you are visible offline as well it helps. Offline visibility may be in form of being a speaker or a participant in conferences and seminars. Offline visibility may also be some visibility in media – online as well as offline – you may want to write for a publication, a blog or you may want to get invited to discussions on TV programs etc.
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Your resume and social profiles should be well worded, and you should be in a position to convey your role , accomplishments effectively. This is a challenge faced by many senior executives who are either hard pressed for time to document their achievements well or who are poor at articulating their profile and career highlights in a well worded document.
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Stay in touch with professionals from search industry, and listen to what they have to say or offer. This should be an on-going process and should not kick off only when you are desperate for a job change. If you are connected with relevant search professionals, they get to understand you and your career aspirations better and will keep flagging you with relevant opportunities as and when they come by. You are free to pitch if some thing sounds exciting.
Exploring a new opportunity or a good opportunity’s is not a matter of a few days and few months. It’s an ongoing process.
At times, it may take a few years before you are able to see some opportunity that make sense for you.
