Let’s start with a dictionary definition:
noun: headhunting
-
- the practise among some peoples of collecting the heads of dead enemies as trophies. “a tribal tradition of headhunting.”
- the activity of identifying and approaching suitable people employed elsewhere to fill business positions. “the company had a policy against headhunting.”
These two definitions obviously refer to two widely different activities!
Recruiters would typically use the practice of headhunting to find scarce or rare skills and for senior executive positions. It makes sense in these cases to find a person who meets all your specific selection criteria and make them an offer of employment.
Typically, these rare and scarce individuals might be in a position already, or might not actively be looking for a new job.
The head-hunter would use their knowledge, experience, and networks, to identify the ideal match to the position “out there” and approach them directly. The recruiter introduces the company to the potential candidate, “sells” the company and the position to the candidate and invites them to be part of the selection process.
It is clear that recruiter using headhunting as a technique has to have specific skills knowledge, and a broad network
Headhunting is not a person who posted their CV on the internet, was found by a recruiter and entered into a selection process of interviews with other candidates.
Do not be hoodwinked into believing a candidate who says that they have an exceptional set of skills and a good reputation and tells you that they were “headhunted” for their current job. You still have to check and evaluate all candidates.
If you are not careful, such candidates will add your head to their collection as in the first definition above.
There are no short cuts in recruitment! That is why RecruitX will help you identify candidates, sift through them, and help you avoid losing your head to “head-hunters”!