Ricardo Barriga

A fantastic form of professional flattery is when you are headhunted. It is exciting to think a recruiter or employer sought you personally for an opportunity, but receiving this invitation does not necessarily mean you have to accept it. You may be a great employee and a leader in your industry, but you find that the offer just does not fit in with your five to ten-year career plan.

It is easy to forget your career goals when you are being headhunted and start to compromise on your values just because an offer is presented to you. In reality, you must treat this opportunity the same way you would have if you had applied for the job. If you are being headhunted, consider these eight rules to ensure you come to the right conclusion on whether to take the job or not.

Rules for being headhunted:

1. When a recruiter contacts you via LinkedIn or calls your place of employment, it is vital that you not just accept anything he/she says, this includes agreeing to be put forward. You first need to understand the opportunity that’s being presented to you and do your due diligence before allowing any recruiter to represent you. If you are interested in the role, the next step is to set up an appointment to meet up and further discuss the opportunity. When meeting a recruiter, make sure you know who their client is and why the position is now available.
2. When you do meet with the recruiter or potential employer, refrain from selling yourself; rather, ask them why they think you would be ideal for the role. This is your opportunity to drill down and ask questions. Why did they think you’d be suitable? Who recommended you? How many other candidates have they contacted?
3. At the end of your first meeting, you should have a firm understanding of the role on offer and why you were headhunted for it. The recruiter/employer should have provided you with a job description, or, at least, a detailed brief.
4. Do your research. Now is the time to find out everything you can about your potential future employer. Educate yourself about the company, their industry, how they are performing, who their major clients are, how they are perceived by their customers, and the possibility to progress internally. This will provide you with an overall view and feel of the company and what it might be like to work for in the future.
5. Compare the salary package on offer with your current salary, including benefits and allowances. You must consider the entire package.
6. Do not compromise on your values, no matter how enticing the offer may be. Think about your current role and what’s important about it (not just financially). Are you looking for career growth, job certainty, management style, the ability to have input on the company, work/life balance, etc.? You must treat this opportunity the same as if you were applying for a job and had a few offers on the table. Remember, your core values are important to you for a reason, they mean something to you. If you find yourself compromising them in your new position, it may lead to problems in the future.
7. Weigh up the pros and cons, carefully considering your options. Upon making your decision, be sure to get back to them quickly. If your answer is yes, you will progress through the interview process. If your response is no, politely decline, and don’t forget to thank them for considering you.
8. Do not be rushed into making a decision. If they really want you, they will work with you to make sure you are a good fit for their role.

Good Luck!