How to Get Noticed by Executive Headhunters – And Make the Most of the Relationship
Why This Matters and Red Flags To Watch Out For
A strong partnership with the right executive headhunter can be a pivotal factor in advancing your career. However, not all headhunters are created equal. The best ones act as trusted advisors, matching top talent with strategic opportunities, while others may take a more transactional approach. Knowing how to identify a reputable headhunter — and understanding the etiquette of working with them — can make all the difference.
So, what should you look for? A good headhunter will take the time to understand your career aspirations, provide market insights, and maintain confidentiality. Red flags include aggressive tactics, lack of transparency, pushing roles that don’t align with your goals, or offering a transactional service. Be mindful of recruiters who get in touch just to gather your details or take your CV with a very vague overview of what they plan to do with it. At all times you should know exactly what they are planning to do with your details, and any boundaries around actions, companies or networking should be outlined at the start.
But working with a headhunter isn’t just about finding the right one — it’s also about making yourself visible, engaging strategically, and building a strong professional presence that attracts opportunities. To get noticed and stay top of mind, you need to position yourself as a high-value person in your industry while maintaining a professional, proactive relationship with recruiters. Here’s how to do just that.
1. Make Yourself Visible in the Right Places
Executive search firms spend a significant amount of time identifying and researching potential candidates. If they can’t find you—or if your digital presence doesn’t align with your expertise—you’re missing opportunities.
✅ Optimize Your LinkedIn Profile – Your LinkedIn is your digital business card. Make sure your headline reflects your expertise, your summary highlights your impact, and your experience section includes measurable achievements. A vague or outdated profile could cost you valuable opportunities. Make sure you have SEO keywords visible.
✅ Engage With Industry Content – Headhunters pay attention to people who actively contribute to their field. Post insightful content, comment on industry trends, and share updates that demonstrate your thought leadership. Have an opinion, but also be mindful of what you post. Anything that could highlight you as being difficult, or raise red flags for a potential employer, is not recommended.
✅ Curate Your Digital Footprint – Your professional brand extends beyond LinkedIn. Ensure that your online presence — company bios, media mentions, and even personal social media — is aligned with your executive brand.
2. Build a Reputation That Attracts Headhunters
The best way to attract executive recruiters is by being excellent at what you do. Beyond that, a strong industry presence increases your visibility.
✅ Be Known for Results – Whether it’s revenue growth, market expansion, or operational efficiencies, headhunters seek people who drive impact. Make sure your successes are known within your professional network. Be known for the right reasons, headhunters talk among each other, as do clients, and a bad reputation can damage any potential opportunity.
✅ Speak at Events & Contribute to Industry Discussions – Attending and speaking at industry conferences or contributing to publications positions you as a leader in your space. Headhunters often look for subject matter experts.
✅ Leverage Your Network – Recommendations from respected industry professionals carry significant weight. Strong peer and mentor relationships can lead to direct introductions to executive search firms, especially recent ones.
3. Be Open to Conversations—Even When You’re Not Actively Looking
Many executives only engage with headhunters when they’re job hunting. The best opportunities, however, often come when you’re not actively looking. Furthermore, building that relationship from the first interaction can only pay dividends in time.
✅ Understand That Headhunters Think Long-Term – A great headhunter won’t just present you with any job—they’ll keep you in mind for the right opportunities. Building a relationship early ensures you’re on their radar when a perfect-fit role arises.
✅ Be Clear About Your Career Goals – What’s next for you? Whether it’s a regional leadership role, a move into the C-suite, or a board position, clearly communicating your aspirations helps headhunters match you with the right roles. Be open about what excites you, what would make you move companies or roles and what you absolutely do not want to do next. This clarity allows the headhunter to align your expectations with what they bring to the table.
✅ Don’t Dismiss a Call Too Quickly – Even if you’re not looking, a conversation can provide valuable industry insights, salary benchmarks, or introductions that could benefit you down the line. In many industries, especially Flavours, Ingredients and Fragrances, a simple phone call could open up a world of possibilities.
4. Make Communication Count
How you interact with a headhunter can determine the strength of your relationship. People who communicate effectively are more likely to stay top of mind and be the first person the headhunter calls when something exciting comes across their desk.
✅ Respond Promptly – A lack of response signals disinterest. Even if the timing isn’t right, a quick message acknowledging the opportunity keeps the relationship positive. Responding to something a year later with a generic excuse won't go a long way in being remembered positively.
✅ Be Honest About Your Motivations – Transparency is key. If compensation, company culture, or location are deal-breakers, communicate them early. This ensures you’re only presented with relevant opportunities. Also be transparent about where you are in the market currently. You don't have to share the company name but being upfront about being in a final interview process can save a lot of pain down the line with other clients.
✅ Stay in Touch – While there’s no need for constant check-ins, keeping headhunters informed of career moves, availability, or key achievements ensures you remain top of mind. Understand that even proactive headhunters reach out when they have relevant opportunities. In a slower market, this may mean less frequent updates, but a well-timed message on your end can help maintain a strong connection.
5. The Invitation: Let’s Connect
At Westcliffe Partnerships, we specialize in placing high-calibre executives in leadership roles that shape the future of the industry. If you’re a leader looking for your next strategic move—or simply want to stay informed about market trends—let’s connect.
📩 Want to stay ahead of the curve? Message me on LinkedIn to start the conversation, email me at francesca@westcliffepartnerships.com, or explore our resources page https://www.westcliffepartnerships.com/resources.