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Recruiters vs Headhunters: Everything you need to know

Posted on 06-28-2021
Interview between two people wearing masks.

Do you know what the main differences between a recruiter and a headhunter are? Learn more about these professionals and how to work with them here.

Job search Job seekers

When you’re looking for a job, spending weeks browsing job boards and scouring LinkedIn for vacancies aren’t your only options. Many job seekers choose to get a helping hand, and this often makes finding that dream job a little easier.

So, you could work with a recruiter or a headhunter. But what’s the difference between the two, and which one is the best option for you? In this blog post, we’ll be answering all your questions about recruiters and headhunters, what they do, and which one you should choose to help you land your next job. Let’s get started!

What is the difference between a recruiter and a headhunter? 

They’re similar in that they both help companies find talented candidates, but they have subtly different roles and responsibilities. Here’s a quick breakdown of what recruiters and headhunters do:

What do recruiters do?

Recruiters work as one part of the hiring process. They’re usually responsible for posting employment vacancies on internet job boards and are the initial point of contact for aspiring candidates. They pre-screen potential employees and manage the first phase of recruitment, and they may be involved in some other aspects of the hiring process including the final decision. Most recruiters work with a wide variety of job types and commonly work on behalf of a company or a staffing agency.

What do headhunters do?

Headhunters work individually or as part of a headhunting company to find potential candidates for positions that an organization is looking to fill. They pass information about promising candidates over to the company but don’t take part in the further hiring process or the final decision. Headhunters are often specialized in a certain field or industry, and most look for high-level candidates like executives or hard-to-find professionals with lots of experience.

Headhunters won’t post a job; instead, they search for candidates and reach out to those that have the right profile. They rely on reaching out to professionals until they find a candidate that has the characteristics that a company is looking for. Organizations might use headhunters when they’ve had no success finding the right candidate through their own HR department recruiters.

How to work with recruiters and headhunters

When you work with recruiters and headhunters, you’ll need to take slightly different approaches depending on who you’re working with. We’ve identified 8 key tips that you can follow if you decide to take your job search to one of these industry professionals. Continue reading and take note of this valuable advice.

Tips for working with a recruiter

Follow these top 4 tips when working with recruiters.

Think long-term

Recruiters want to have access to large talent pools, so they tend to develop long-term relationships with candidates as they deal with a variety of companies and roles. If a recruiter can’t find you a job now, they may have a position for you in the future. Keep in touch with recruiters and add them to your LinkedIn network to increase your chances of hearing about an opportunity down the line.

Be honest about pay

If you’re working with a recruiter who is external to the organization you’re applying to, be upfront about your salary expectations. Recruiters try and negotiate a salary that’s fair for both candidates and employees, so the more information they have about how much you expect to earn, the better. If you’re not sure how much you should be earning based on your industry and experience, check out our salary calculator and learn how to use it to negotiate a better salary!

Ask questions

Recruiters know lots of important details about the positions they’re recruiting for. Make sure to ask them plenty of questions about responsibilities, work culture, training, management structure, interview processes and anything else that you want to know before moving forward with the hiring process.

Follow-up regularly

Because recruiters deal with lots of different candidates across different industries, if you haven’t heard back from a recruiter for a few days, send a friendly follow-up message to check how your application is doing. Keep yourself top of mind!

Tips for working with a headhunter

If you’re working with a headhunter, follow these 4 tips to make the most out of your experience.

Help them find you

Headhunters actively search for candidates, so making yourself easy to find is a good idea. You can do this by optimizing your LinkedIn profile, being active in online professional communities, attending networking events, and taking part in conferences or industry-specific events. Sending LinkedIn connection requests to headhunters in your industry can also be a great way to build a valuable network that opens doors.

Keep communication flowing

Headhunters want to know everything about you because they want to sell you to their client. By communicating with them and being as transparent as possible, they’ll be more equipped to help you reach your goal and land the job. Talk to them about your professional skills, your employment history, and your long-term ambitions to help them help you! If there’s something you don’t like about the hiring process or the job that you’re being offered for, then talk to your headhunter about this as soon as possible so that they can adjust their approach or negotiate on your behalf.

Work with a specialized headhunter

If you work in a specific industry or want to get hired for a niche position, then working with an experienced and specialized headhunter is your best bet. They’ll be able to offer insider advice during the initial stages of the recruitment process, and they’ll have access to high-end positions within the industry. These kinds of specialized headhunters will also know exactly how to pitch you to a potential employer, increasing your chances of getting hired.

Act like a partner

When working with a headhunter, remember that you will both benefit from a positive outcome. If you’re successful, then your headhunter will have fulfilled their client’s needs. That’s why you should always treat your relationship with them as a partnership. Aim to be honest and transparent with what you’re looking for and expect the same from your headhunter in return.

The bottom line

The important thing for you to remember about recruiters and headhunters is that they’re there to help you. When you work with them, communicate clearly and ask questions – that way you’ll both be well prepared to give the hiring process your best shot. If you’re currently looking for a job, check out the Adecco Canada job board or get in touch with us so that we can help you find your ideal job!
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