The woman on the other end of the phone is pleasant enough, I just couldn’t figure out why she was calling me. “Hi, my name is Susan,” she said. “And I’d like to speak to you about an exciting new job opportunity.” I was confused. I already had a job, and I wasn’t really looking for another one. I ask her where she’s calling from. It was a local recruiting firm here in DC. Susan was a job search consultant, otherwise known as a “headhunter.” She tells me that someone referred me to her, saying I would be perfect for the job. We spoke for a few minutes about the position, and while I was not inclined to put my hat in the ring, I promised to forward the opportunity to others in my network. I hung up the phone thinking, so this is how the whole word of mouth job search thing really works.
If you’re looking to take the next step in your career, utilizing a recruiting firm may be the way to go. People like Susan are retained by organizations looking to hire employees with exceptional talent for a particular position. Their job is to use their networks to find the perfect candidate without going through the typical process of posting a job online and taking in applications from any old person who wishes to apply. There are many recruiting firms out there now that specialize in nonprofit positions and could be looking for you!
If you don’t already have a connection to a nonprofit search firm, it may be time for you to introduce yourself and let them know you’d like to be included in their network of candidates. Browse the search firm’s website and check out the searches they currently have open. Then Look up the name of the person at the firm who is leading the search and send them your resume and a brief cover letter, being very specific about why you’re interested in the position. Then follow-up with a phone call. But that’s just the first step. You also have to remember:
- Do a great job at your current nonprofit job. Search consultants are looking for candidates with a record of high performance, so don’t slack off just because you know you’re on your way out the door.
- The firm is working on behalf of their nonprofit client, not you. They are not being paid to find you a job, they are being paid to find the perfect candidate for their client.
- When you contact a search firm, you should have your resume and references ready, just in case they have a search open that’s perfect for you. Show yourself prepared from Day 1.
- If you are contacted by a search firm for a particular position, it’s always a good idea to ask why the previous person is leaving the organization. The answer could potentially save you some heartache later, and you want to walk into the process with your eyes open to the challenges the job could bring.
If you don’t yet have a connection to a recruiting firm in your area, here are a few that work locally and nationally:
I’ve been told by my search consultant friends that about 15 percent of positions are placed by a search firm. If you have the kind of talent that is in demand by nonprofit organizations, they would love to hear from you. It’s worth it to work with a search firm as part of your job search strategy. Who knows? Pretty soon, you could pick up the phone one day and have Susan on the other end of your line, offering you the perfect nonprofit job.