the Interview Expert 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Newsletter
Greetings!
 
Welcome to your latest issue of the Interview Expert newsletter.

Every issue explores the key elements of a successful job interview and strategic job search techniques - so you can master your skills and land the job you really want!
 
In this issue we discuss how you can become known by retained search consultants so you can gain access to the hidden job market.

Discovering the hidden job market:
Build relationships with retained search consultants 
 
Job-hunting is a marketing activity. It's about making yourself known to a wider and wider circle of people, including those directly connected to the job search industry. Search consultants are key brokers in the job market. These are the people who should be aware of you if you are targeting a job in your current industry and area of expertise. In this newsletter, I'll tell you how to build lasting relationships with search consultants, especially those who are retained by firms to handle all of their job placements.
 
There are two types of search consultants: contingency and retainer. Contingency consultants are paid only if the candidate they put forward is hired by the organization. Retainer consultants, on-the-other-hand, are paid upfront for conducting the search itself. It's pretty easy to get to know contingency recruiters: you are their bread and butter. However, retainer consultants are usually more difficult to find. They're focused on winning their next search assignment - that's how they make money. And, they have lots and lots of qualified candidates in their pockets. And because they are the key brokers in the unadvertised job market it's important to build lasting links to them.
 
Your first step in building these relationships is to identify search consultants and firms that specialize in your industry or field of expertise. Include large generalist search firms as well; they typically handle most of the job search requirements for their clients. If you don't know where to find these specialist consultants, the business librarian at your local or regional public library can help.
 
Find out whether the firms on your list work on a contingency or retained search basis or both. Then, send them your resum�. Retained search consultants probably won't call you, unless they're currently working on a search assignment for someone with your qualifications. However, what they will do is add your resum� in their database, which they use as a starting point for their searches. That way, you'll make the first cut when they begin a search assignment for someone with your expertise, industry background and job level.
 
Next, talk to the contacts in your network to find someone who retains any of the search firms on your list. Search consultants want to help their clients and keep them happy. So, be sure to use the referring person's name when you request a meeting for a face-to-face complimentary interview with a consultant. Then, when you meet, help them out with any search assignments they may be working on in your industry by providing some insider knowledge. And, should a job they're sourcing not be right for you, give them some leads on alternative candidates.
 
Another important way to reach retained consultants is through their researchers. These people are the first-line staff in search consulting offices. Their job is to quickly find (source) a comprehensive list of potential candidates. Always, always be helpful to researchers. To do their jobs, researchers query the firm's database, looking for candidates. Then, they review a variety of industry sources. To pre-qualify candidates for an interview with the search consultant, they conduct brief phone interviews using a list of targeted of questions. Sometimes, you'll receive calls from researchers for jobs for which you don't qualify or are uninterested in. Help them out by recommending appropriate people and organizations. Remember the names of these researchers and keep in touch with them. Researchers remember helpful people. It's their key to getting their job done quickly and efficiently. If they don't remember you, chances are you won't make the first cut on their sourcing list; and if you don't hear about potential jobs from them, you'll miss the opportunity for interviews.
 
Let's assume you called a retained search consultant three weeks ago and they haven't returned your call. As an executive search consultant, when I was in the midst of a search project, especially during the interview phase, I was totally immersed. I couldn't call people back until the project was over. There simply wasn't time. When a search consultant is "heads-down" in the middle of a search, they simply don't even have a minute to call you back. So, don't take it personally if you're waiting for a return call. Do call back, but don't be demanding. They'll call you when they have time. For a reality check, ask their administrative assistant to recommend an appropriate time to catch up with the consultant. They'll know their schedule.
 
As brokers in the job market, retained search consultants are a key link to the unadvertised job market. Do your best to be introduced to the top search consultants in your industry. Stay in touch with them by providing key insider expertise or industry knowledge. That way, you'll be top of mind when the next search project comes up requiring an individual with your expertise, at your level with your industry experience.
 
 
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Questions?  Comments?  Topics for future newsletters?
Feel free to e-mail us anytime at the Interview Expert newsletter.
 
 
And don't forget to check the Interview Expert blog for more free resources including information on how to answer standard interview questions. 

Can't get past the first interview?
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Sincerely,
 
Heather
 
Heather McNab
the Interview Expert 
 
416-239-4406
[email protected]      
 
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Personal Branding
Heather
How do you stand out
from the crowd of other job candidates?
 
It's critical to create a solid, market-focused personal branding statement that takes everything about you and makes it everything about them.  
 
This step is so important that I've  designed a special package to help you create one -- fast.  
It's called Make Me Memorable.  We work with you to create your own unique brand so you stand out from the crowd. 
 
And you don't have to wait for your next interview --
do it now, use it now. Dramatically increase
the power of your networking.  
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