I’ve been headhunting now for almost two years, having spent the previous 24 years as a senior manager in the commercial world. I am now the Managing Partner for the UK part of SAM Headhunting (which was originally founded in 1993 in Denmark). This new life is highly enjoyable and a rewarding experience, so much so that I want to share what I’ve learned for the benefit of recruiting businesses as well as candidates who often look to headhunters to help them further their career.

I’ve worked out that my elevator pitch is:

“We match great people to great jobs. We do it faster than anybody else and at a lower cost than most” 

I find that gets interest and gives me a chance to explain what we’re about in specific terms for the client (or candidate) I’m talking to.

We are now 6 headhunters working across the UK (with Keeley about to join us in September to make 7) with over 100 other headhunting partners all over Europe and beyond. This network makes life interesting and adds a level of variety I find hugely attractive and motivating.

I used SAM Headhunting when I was running some Scandinavian businesses in the early noughties. They found me the people I was looking for, most who are still in place many years later and being successful. SAM blew away some of the myth and mystery I used to have for headhunters, and got me used to working with a bunch of people who were something like me and had a focus on getting the job done. When they invited me to join them I jumped at it – no matter that I had no formal HR or headhunting experience.

I discovered that far from being a disadvantage, my management experience was a real advantage (in that I understood the need for pace and profit) and my lack of HR experience also gave me something of an edge because I didn’t get caught up in the industry jargon.

I think this blog can help companies thinking about using a headhunter. I hope I can de-bunk some of the myths and suggest some questions to ask and some issues to be aware of when looking for a headhunter – the level of service offered, and the fees and costs involved can vary hugely. I might also be able to help candidates with some simple tips, especially when it comes to putting themselves in the market place and getting their CV out there and working hard for them.

Good headhunters can add real value to a company looking for great people with specific skills and experience. A good headhunter will also go to a lot of trouble to make sure there’s a cultural fit too.

Welcome to my world!

Written by Martin Ellis – me@samheadhunting.com