If you are serious about an Executive Management Career, you need access to top Executives.

But what is the best way to gain audience with a very busy Chief Executive?

You could try yourself, it may take many un-returned calls or letters. The easiest method is to approach an Executive recruiter and to get the most from the relationship there are certain guidelines you should follow.

Put yourself into an Executive Recruiters shoes

How does an Executive Recruiter make their money? Clients can pay hundreds of thousands of dollars for finding the best person for the job. Many prospective candidates approach a head hunter with high expectations. Remember they aren’t paid to help the unemployed find work. Executive Search firms invest millions of dollars in researching the market, identifying talent and developing comprehensive databases. Clients pay to gain access to the best candidates – relevant for the vacant position. Too many times candidates apply for jobs they are not qualified to do and send lengthy resumes providing irrelevant information.

The idea is to market yourself as a specialist, a solution to the specific problem. If you want to stand out from the crowd you need to get clear on your strengths, what you offer and what you want before you even approach an Executive Head Hunter. Make sure your resume reflects your strengths and keep it simple. Resist the temptation of adding a photograph or logos and please cut out the fluff. Your experience should speak for itself, if it doesn’t you are applying for the wrong job.

Identify a Specialist Head Hunter

Next, it is important to determine which executive recruiter specializes in the sector you work in. You will find there are many niche specialists who pride themselves on their industry knowledge and contacts. Many Executive Recruiters may have previously worked in your chosen field. There are many ways you can do this, search online,research job boards and check the local press. The most effective way is via recommendation. Ask previous colleagues or mentors if they can recommend a Recruiter who has helped them in the past or provided a good service.

It is important to note that the listed potential recruiters should not be limited to big names. Focus needs to be placed on retained recruiters versus mere headhunters which handle regular corporate work for well respected firms. A good guideline is to check the press or trade journals for advertised roles via search firms. If a company is willing to pay for an advert and retain the services of a company it trusts, generally it is an indication of the quality of service provided. It is also a direct reflection of the strength of relationship the Client and recruiter enjoy. If there is a stronger relationship the client is more likely to trust the recruiters recommendations, increasing your chances of being matched to the perfect job.

The Key to Finding Your Chief Executive Career

Always show respect for the recruiter, ultimately you are receiving a top class service free of charge. Candidates who approach the relationship with an air of superiority will quickly find they will not hear about the best jobs. Professionalism is key, treat your initial meeting as an interview and be prepared. Some recruiters may wish to treat the interview informally so as to gain a better understanding of the candidate and build rapport.

Being as helpful as possible to any executive recruiter is vital. There is nothing more infuriating than not returning calls, it is important to give regular updates on yourjob search . It is also very important to keep an open mind, don’t rule out jobs immediately, listen to what the Recruiter has to say and explain why they think this job is right for you. If they are good at what they do then they will have identified a match even if you can’t see it yet.

A very effective and instant way to enamour yourself with your chosen recruiter is to give referrals. If the role is not right for you, perhaps you know someone who could be perfect. The most successful and long lasting relationships are mutually beneficial. By making referrals you will find your Recruiter working harder than ever to help you find that perfect job.

Dexter Cousins is an International Head Hunter dcousins@carmichaelfisher.com

Interview Pointers - Avoid these common mistakes