HR Career Map
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Headhunter

The headhunter is an external professional who is hired by companies to find and locate individuals to fill specific positions, usually senior roles. Headhunters are often called upon when an organization is unable to find the right person for an urgent role on their own or used specifically for executive recruitment.
HR Role family: Solution architect
Salary range: $39,000 - 48,000Gross salary range estimation based on US salary benchmark data collected in 2022
Work experience: 3-7 yearsAverage minimum year of (relevant) work experience required for this role.

Key Responsibilities

Conduct market research to identify potential candidates and industries to target
Develop and maintain a deep network of industry professionals and candidates
Present qualified candidates to clients and coordinate interviews and feedback
Negotiate and close offers with selected candidates

Skills & Competencies

Analytics Translation
Benefits and Rewards
Compensation
Data-Driven
DEIB, Employee Experience and Culture
Delivers through technology
Driven Results
Engages People
Solves Problems
Talent Acquisition

Career paths

Path 1
Path 2
Headhunter
Talent Manager
Head of Talent Acquisition
Headhunter
HR Consultant
HR Business Partner
Head of HR

Training programs

Certificate Program

Digital HR Strategy

Entry-Level | 7 hours

Gain the skills and knowledge you need to create an effective digital HR strategy.

More details & resources

Job Description Template: Headhunter

The Headhunter is responsible for identifying and sourcing top-tier talent for clients across various industries.

Key Responsibilities:

  • Conduct market research to identify potential candidates and industries to target
  • Develop and maintain a deep network of industry professionals and candidates
  • Build relationships with clients to understand their hiring needs and preferences
  • Create job descriptions and postings to attract candidates
  • Conduct initial candidate screening and interviews to assess their qualifications and fit
  • Present qualified candidates to clients and coordinate interviews and feedback
  • Negotiate and close offers with selected candidates
  • Provide ongoing support and assistance to clients and candidates throughout the hiring process

Qualifications:

  • Bachelor's degree in business, human resources, or related field
  • 3+ years of experience in recruitment or executive search, preferably in a headhunting capacity
  • Proven track record of sourcing and placing top-tier candidates across various industries
  • Strong networking and relationship-building skills
  • Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
  • Ability to work independently and as part of a team in a fast-paced environment
  • roficiency in applicant tracking systems (ATS) and recruitment software

Detailed Responsibilities & Tasks

  • Conduct market research to identify potential candidates and industries to target
  • Develop and maintain a deep network of industry professionals and candidates
  • Build relationships with clients to understand their hiring needs and preferences
  • Create job descriptions and postings to attract candidates
  • Conduct initial candidate screening and interviews to assess their qualifications and fit
  • Present qualified candidates to clients and coordinate interviews and feedback
  • Negotiate and close offers with selected candidates
  • Provide ongoing support and assistance to clients and candidates throughout the hiring process

Detailed Skills Description

  • Sales skills: Headhunters need to be skilled at selling their services to potential clients and persuading them to engage with their agency. This requires excellent communication and negotiation skills.
  • Relationship building: Building and maintaining strong relationships with clients and candidates is crucial for success in headhunting. This involves being personable, empathetic, and trustworthy.
  • Networking: Headhunters need to be skilled at networking to identify potential clients and candidates. This involves attending industry events, joining professional associations, and utilizing social media to build a professional network.
  • Research: Headhunters need to be skilled at conducting research to identify potential candidates and understand their industries. This involves using various online and offline sources, such as LinkedIn, industry publications, and company websites.
  • Time management: Headhunters often work on multiple projects simultaneously, so strong time management skills are essential. This involves prioritizing tasks, setting deadlines, and staying organized.
  • Problem-solving: Headhunters often encounter challenges during the recruitment process, such as a lack of suitable candidates or difficult clients. The ability to think creatively and come up with solutions is crucial.
  • Attention to detail: Headhunters need to be meticulous and detail-oriented when screening candidates and presenting them to clients. This involves reviewing resumes, conducting interviews, and verifying references to ensure the highest quality of candidates.
  • Adaptability: Headhunting is a fast-paced and constantly changing industry, so the ability to adapt to changing circumstances and work under pressure is essential

KPIs for this role

  • Time to fill positions: The amount of time taken by the headhunter to fill a particular job position.
  • Candidate quality: The quality of the candidates sourced by the headhunter, including their skills, experience, and suitability for the job.
  • Client satisfaction: The satisfaction of the client with the candidates presented by the headhunter and their overall recruitment experience.
  • Number of placements: The number of successful placements made by the headhunter within a given time period.
  • Revenue generated: The revenue generated by the headhunter through successful placements and client satisfaction.
  • Candidate retention: The rate at which candidates placed by the headhunter remain with the company for a certain period after being hired.
  • Networking: The ability of the headhunter to build and maintain a strong network of contacts and relationships within the industry.
  • Market knowledge: The headhunter's knowledge of the industry, including trends, changes, and developments.
  • Timeliness: The headhunter's ability to work quickly and efficiently to meet the needs of clients and candidates.
  • Professionalism: The headhunter's professionalism, including their communication skills, responsiveness, and ability to handle difficult situations