Executive Search
What is a headhunter?
A headhunter recruits the people that job ads never reach: they identify people in post and go and get them. Their role, how they work with you, what they cost and what they earn, whether you are hiring or being hired.
Definition
The three kinds of headhunter
A headhunter is a recruiter mandated by a company to fill a key role by going to candidates where they are, in post, rather than waiting for applications. They are also known as search consultants, because they recruit by direct approach. They work in three settings, which do not cover the same roles. To compare the firms themselves, see our selection of the best headhunting firms (in French).
- The most common
In a recruitment firm
The consultant headhunts within a generalist firm or one specialised by function, on managerial and expert roles.
- Solo
Independent
A self-employed headhunter, working a network and a sector they know from the inside. Responsive, but limited by their own search capacity.
- Leaders
Headhunting CEOs, executive committee members and C-level leaders, usually on an exclusive mandate. This is the scope of our Executive Search service.
What does a headhunter do?
Four responsibilities, from the brief to the first day in the role.
-
Map the market
List the companies comparable to yours, then the people who hold the role there. Every name on the list is known before the first contact.
-
Approach people in post
Contact each person individually, with a project rather than a job offer, in complete confidence.
-
Assess in depth
Structured interviews, reference checks, a check on real motivation: only well-aligned candidates are presented. Our leadership assessment offer goes further, on request.
-
See the hire through to day one
Offer negotiation, notice period, probation. The assignment ends when the person is in the role and confirmed.
How a headhunter works with you
At each stage, what you see and what they are doing in the meantime.
- Brief
- What you see A one-hour discussion of the role, the context and the package
- What the headhunter does They build the pitch and the list of target companies
- Mapping
- What you see Nothing, for a few days
- What the headhunter does They identify by name the people in post in the role
- Approach
- What you see A progress update every week
- What the headhunter does They contact each person, present the project, qualify interest
- Shortlist
- What you see Three to four candidates, within a few days
- What the headhunter does They have ruled out unavailable or poorly aligned profiles and checked references
- Closing
- What you see An accepted offer, a candidate in the role
- What the headhunter does They negotiate, manage the notice period and follow up through probation
At Licorne Society
One headhunter per job family
Our consultants specialise by scope: Tech and Data, Sales and Marketing, Operations and Finance, general management. A headhunter who knows your function maps faster and approaches with credibility.
How much does a headhunter cost, and who pays?
Always the company, never the candidate. Fees usually range from 23 to 30% of the role's gross annual salary. Billing varies from one firm to another: contingency, paid only on hire; with a retainer at launch; or in three instalments, at launch, at shortlist and on hire.
How do you get noticed by a headhunter?
You are a candidate: five habits to get on the map.
-
A precise LinkedIn profile about your scope
Exact job title, team size, budget, quantified results: this is what a headhunter reads first.
-
A clear company and role
Headhunters map the companies comparable to their client's. If your role is clear, you are on their list.
-
Reply, even to say no
Ten minutes of conversation put you in their talent pool for the next assignment.
-
An active network in your field
Headhunters work through referrals: your peers are their first source.
-
A profile on the Licorne Society platform
Our consultants source first from our community of registered candidates.
- See our open positions