However much career security you may currently have, it is still beneficial to receive head-hunter’s calls and listen to the opportunities available for you. In future, you may find yourself in a situation where you need help from a corporate head-hunter to assist you in moving your career forward.

Listening to what your head-hunter has to offer is crucial otherwise you may miss out on a life changing opportunity. Irrespective of how secure you may think your career is, according to the fulfilment index, the frequencies of management transitions are ever more increasing. Therefore it favourable on side to take the call and see where the call may lead you and also listen to the head-hunters advice as it might even surprise you!

Generally, head-hunters will only provide you with their name and the firm they are calling from. Therefore it may be useful to give them a few minutes to let them explain the purpose for calling, as it may not be initially apparent.

One the purpose of the call becomes clear, try to identify whether you are a potential candidate search; if so, be completely honest about yourself and your current job and you compensation package. Don’t be shy to tell them what you current package is and what you think is attractive enough to change jobs. If you want to or are keen to relocate, then make this clear. Similarly, if your personal circumstances do not allow you to relocate, be open about that too.

Don’t be put off if head-hunters are unable to reveal the company they are hiring on behalf of. Many of their clients simply do not give permission to identify them as the hiring company until much later in the search process and then only a handful of ‘shortlisted’ candidates will be told.

Overall, if you have the right profile head-hunters are looking for, you can rest assured that they will take you seriously and be committed to you.

Source: Bloomberg 24/01/2012