Using headhunters

[sideduck]

Hi, I was wondering if anybody used any job angencies to help them look for a job in HK? I am in HK now and I have met a couple of recruiters. I was wondering what happens after we have met them. Do we just sit around and wait till they give us a call? I am sure they have many clients that need their help and not just me. Are recruiters a good source to get a job? I have not heard back from them since I last met them. Should I give them a call and ask them the status or anything? I am really eager to try to land a job in HK. Please offer some advice and any good agencies if you were successful with them (banking and finance industry).

[hello_there]

Headhunters will meet briefly with just about anyone, but that does not mean that they will put in much effort to place a junior candidate. If you have already had a meeting with the headhunter you can try calling them to see if they have any leads for you. Otherwise, you just wait. If they don't find anything you may not ever hear from them again. The more senior you are, the more likely a headhunter will be useful in finding a job. Even if companies have vacancies, they are not always likely to use a headhunter to fill relatively junior spots because there is little reason for them to pay the headhunter to locate junior talent. If you have less than 3-5 years experience in your industry, relying solely on a headhunter to place you is not a great approach. Also, most headhunters get paid roughly based on the candidates salary, so they have less incentive to place people in lower level positions.

[sideduck]

OIC...so headhunters are one method of getting work in HK but not the best method right? What do you suggest the best method of locating work in HK is? Is it really through networking and having somebody in a company to refer you into a job position is the best way? Do you think the chances of a friend referring you would be bigger?

[funnie]

OIC...so headhunters are one method of getting work in HK but not the best method right? What do you suggest the best method of locating work in HK is? Is it really through networking and having somebody in a company to refer you into a job position is the best way? Do you think the chances of a friend referring you would be bigger?

the best way is to go to chruch and pray as much as you can

PS: Just kidding

[KnowItAll]

>> Do you think the chances of a friend referring you would
>> be bigger?

Depends on who your friends are.

(Ok.. going on a philosophical tangent here)

If you're a believer in Malcom Gladwell's connector theories .. then acquaintances (people who you meet casually and who remember you ... not people who you're close friends with) are better for such tasks. Also goes hand in hand with evolutionary theories of diversity.

The chances are .. most of your friends would be in the same social and economic circles as you, and are probably not in a place to help you, if they have not already done this.

So, network.. increase the number of people who know you or know about you.

Headhunters are an essential part of diversifying the number of people who can assist you in meeting your goal and spreading the word.