Executive Search Consultants

Candidates

• Cross-Border
• Submitting your CV / Resumé

While executive search firms work for clients, not candidates, many candidates establish fruitful relationships with key executive search consultants over the years. Many candidates are also trusted sources of information for consultants about what is happening in an industry or sector. The relationship between consultant and candidate can and should be mutually satisfying.

Many people ask how they can get on consultants’ radars. Here are a few tips:

* Identify consultants who work in industries, sectors or geographies that you also work in, and make yourself known to them. You might ring and suggest a coffee together, or make sure you introduce yourself at conference. Engage the consultant in a conversation which helps the consultant understand your expertise, and how you might help him or her with information when needed.

* When a consultant rings you, as either a source or a candidate, take some time to have a conversation with him or her. Find out what areas the consultant works in, and test whether you feel confidence in the person. If you feel there are some good reasons to stay in touch, make sure you get the consultant’s details and make it clear that you are prepared to talk honestly to him or her about your industry and the people in it.

* Keep the consultant up to date with your career moves. Try to keep either the same private cell phone number or the same private email address (preferably both!), so that if the consultant comes looking for you in a few years’ time, you can be found.

* Penrhyn is a member of the Association of Executive Search Consultants (AESC).  All member firms adhere to the ethical standards and governing business principles of this industry association. To identify quality retained executive search firms who specialize in your industry, sector, or geography, you may wish to register with BlueSteps.com, which provides access to the AESC International Executive Search Directory.

* Make sure you have a profile on LinkedIn and BlueSteps.com that tells a consultant enough about your background to want to contact you.  Creating a BlueSteps profile will enable you to increase your visibility to all retained executive search firms who are members of the Association of Executive Search Consultants.

Every good consultant will be aware that the same individual might be a candidate, a source and a client at different times. If a consultant comes to respect your knowledge, expertise and judgement, rest assured that he or she will gladly keep in touch with you.