IT Management Slideshow: Working With Headhunters: 7 Secrets Revealed

Who better than a headhunter to tell you how to deal with headhunters? Nick "Ask the Headhunter" Corcodilos knows the drill for dealing with executive search consultants, and his advice for how to best go about the process might not be what you expect. The scenario goes something like this: A headhunter phones you with what sounds like a juicy opportunity. As you quiz him, it seems like he's dialing for dollars. He's fishing for referrals, or, worse, he doesn't even understand what his "client" really needs. (It's not even clear he really has a client!) When you ask about the buzzwords the headhunter is reciting, all you get is auditory equivalent of a blank stare. Or, you take the bait, send your resume, and waste your time for several weeks. The deal goes nowhere, and the headhunter won't even return your calls or Emails. There are good executive jobs out there, and executive search consultants are working on them. But how do you get in on the real deals? Corcodilos's "Ask The Headhunter" series of books-including "Answer Kit: How Can I Change Careers?" and "How to Work with Headhunters. . . and How To Make Headhunters Work For You" offer in-depth insight. Here, we highlight his seven secrets that will make working with a headhunter a worthwhile experience.