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[Jeff]

Head hunters, are they of benefit? Are there ones that are unique to education? Finally, if they exist, who are they?

[Doc X]

Dear Jeff:
   
Below is a link to an article on headhunters from The Chronicle of Philanthropy:
http://philanthropy.com/jobs/2003/05/01/20030523-834066.htm
   
I have a social science research Ph.D. I got my current position through a headhunter, also known as an executive-search firm. From my understanding, many of these firms are contacted by an employer, looking to fill a position. They hire an executive search firm to do at least the initial screening and interviews of potential candidates. (I'm not sure if you can just show up at such a firm's doorstep and give your resume, though, you'd have to check and inquire about what cost is involved.)
   
The candidates they see as compatible are identified and passed along to the said employer. The employer communicates to the firm to set up an interview between the candidate and the employer.
   
I found my position at a nonprofit on The Chronicle of Higher Education's Web site (a very big thank you, CHE!). I e-mailed my application thinking it was being sent to the employer. It was actually sent to an executive-search firm, who interviewed me two times, had several telephone conversations, and then worked as a liaison between me and the employer.
   
After two face-to-face interviews with the employer, I got the job. That's the process that I went through. For me, a headhunter benefited me, although I must say, I did not go out looking for a headhunter. They just happened to be part of the process.
   
Best of luck to you, Jeff.

[Jimster]

For faculty, I doubt if there is a place for placement firms.  The typical hiring process is usually fairly strict and includes a national search (in The Chronicle), review of resumes by a search committee made up of faculty, and face-to-face interviews of the top 2 to 5 candidates. There is no place in this process where a head hunter would add anything. Also, since head hunters make their money by getting a commission from the hiring party -- say 10 percent of the first year's pay -- they would be wasting their time: Their commission from placing one average software engineer would be two or three times what they could get for placing college faculty.

[Doug]

In the irectory of Executive Recruiters you’ll find many recruiters that deal specifically with eduation. They are generally interested in candidates at the assocaite dean level or above.

The directory is updated annually; the copy on my desk is for 2003, but the 2004 edition is available.

For more visit http://kennedyinfo.com/