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Part -
I
As some of the greatest
job opportunities are entrusted to executive search consulting firms, it
is a good idea for senior professionals to learn how to best use such
firms to advance their careers. A hiring organization will only retain
an executive search firm under a consulting contract for it�s most
critical senior appointments. Top executives, who are called by a search
consultant for an assignment, can leave a positive impact and build a
good and rewarding relationship with a search firm by following a few
simple rules.
Everyone is busy,
especially a highflying manager like you. Remember, it is the search
consultant�s job to call. He or she is just doing his duty. Getting a
call just as you are about to make an annual presentation to your most
important client can be surely annoying. But only if you can, take the
call and give an optional time and try to stick to it. Or else, call
back, if possible. Sometimes, it is appalling to encounter not so senior
level managers who think that calling back a search consultant is the
biggest favour they are doing. They could be light years from the truth!
Search firms call you only because you are successful and they recognize
your capabilities and your wisdom. They will call you for any of the
following reasons: -
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For an assignment
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To reference a candidate
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Seeking general information about a company and
industry if they know you well
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To understand or update your profile
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To get names and profiles of candidates who they
are trying find for a particular search
Some candidates are wary,
rightly perhaps, of giving their profile, without knowing the
assignment. Merely sharing your details does not mean you are interested
in a change or in looking out today, but just being open to
possibilities that could emerge in the future. Things change in
everyone�s lives. Tomorrow, you might wish to be close to your parents
in Chandigarh, for instance. This causes you no harm, because if the
firm does not know you well, they will not call you, not at least until
they have called people whom they know. By which time, it could be too
late!!! Even if you are the marketing head of a Rs.100 crore business,
remember there are clients seeking marketing heads for Rs.1000 crore
companies!
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