SpearHEADED Job Search

90% of employed executives would gladly take a phone call from a recruiter, up from 70% in the spring. But if you are looking for a job right now, why wait for a recruiter to find and contact you?

Now is a great time to make or renew connections into companies you'd like to work for. Why? Many recruiters are reporting that search assignments have been down and business has been slow, so now more than ever, they are more willing and able to take calls from qualified executives. This has presented recruiters with the opportunity to refill their pipeline and prepare for the economic upturn by doing courtesy interviews.

          A 30-minute "courtesy" interview is a great way for recruiters to get to really know candidates in ways they wouldn't be able to during brisk economic times. And it's a great way for jobseekers in transition to become top-of-mind candidates for recruiters.

The best way to set up a courtesy interview with a recruiter in your specialty is by reaching out to your network. At one time or another, executives in your network have used a recruiter to either hire staff or land a position themselves. Ask if they have close, working relationships with executive recruiters, and if they would be willing to reach out to those recruiters on your behalf.

After your contact has made the introduction, call the recruiter, mention your contact had suggested you call, and request the courtesy interview. You'll want to use the courtesy interview to highlight your skills and experience, and to give the recruiter a clear idea of the unique value those skills and experience would bring to an organization. Be ready to convey this in a short, concise statement of no longer than a minute or two.

Even though this is not an interview for a current opening, make sure you send off a thank you note or follow up with a phone call within 24 hours, just as you would after a regular interview. Stay in touch with the recruiter to update them on your search. After all, you are building a relationship that could payoff for you in the near future.

Contributor: Sandy Salute, Entrepreneur. She is an independent business woman. She found out that job searching should be thought critically in order to get the job you want.

Source: Graduate Options and Development Seminar 2009 “Empowering Graduates Towards Global Competitiveness” La Salle University, Guidance center.