Ask The Headhunter: Should I pursue a company even if it has no jobs open?

 By Nick Corcodilos

Question:

You have written that when identifying job opportunities, a person should "...find out who, exactly ... industry, companies, specific managers ... the problems, challenges and opportunities these employers are facing."

Do I do this without knowing whether they need someone or not? Am I hoping that, in the course of my research, I will discover an opening that my skills will complement even though I don't know if a specific opening exists?

Or, should I expect that if I have the skills the employer needs to make his business more profitable (whether or not he has a specific opening), he'll find a spot for me if I prove myself valuable?

Nick's Reply:

Ah, you're asking the kinds of questions I love!


"Do I do this without knowing whether they need someone or not?"



Yep. One thing should guide and motivate your research: your interest in the business, the company and the work you are researching. That's what makes you a powerful candidate and - ultimately - a desirable employee.



"Am I hoping that in the course of my research I will discover if they have an opening that my skills will complement even though I don't know if a specific opening exists?"

Yes again. It never ceases to amaze me that the typical approach to job hunting is to look for "what's available" rather than "what you want." Imagine choosing a mate that way. Or a meal. Why settle, when with a little effort you can pursue what's important to you, rather than "what's on the menu?"


"Or, should I expect that if I have the skills the employer needs to make his business more profitable (whether or not he has a specific opening), he'll find a spot for me if I prove myself valuable?"



Bingo! That's the big Ask The Headhunter lesson. If the company is healthy, it may make room for you. If not now, in the near future. If not in the future, then they might recommend you to another company. Regardless, you will have made a new friend in the industry you want to work in. At the very least, you wind up with an excellent reference.



Recently, in the course of a search, I encountered a person who I thought could be a great hire for one of my clients - but the client didn't have an open position. The company recognized "a solution in search of a problem" and promptly hired her, creating a new position. How did we pull this off? I coached the candidate to prepare a business plan describing how she could create a new role that would clearly benefit the company. They hired her, and they paid her what she asked.



This is the sort of deal that makes the world go 'round. You're getting it. Now try it!



Copyright © 2010 Nick Corcodilos. All rights reserved. Ask The Headhunter® is a registered trademark. Nick Corcodilos is president of North Bridge Group, Inc. and the author of two new e-books, How to Work with Headhunters and How Can I Change Careers? He shares his contrarian advice and hopes to learn a lot from you, too. Got questions or comments? Please join the discussion!

Post originale: http://career-resources.dice.com:80/articles/content/entry/ask_the_headhunter_should_i2