When the hunters become the hunted

It’s on. The race to secure skilled candidates is starting to heat up.

A perfect storm of a booming tech sector, record low unemployment, a shrinking talent pool, and shifting working conditions are forcing Australian companies to get creative with their recruitment strategies.

Poaching and headhunting have become commonplace in recent times. In fact, it’s now so widespread that a recent survey has shown that nearly all Australian business leaders (98% of them, in fact) are approaching employees who aren’t actively looking for a new job.

What used to be the domain of senior level managers or niche talent, these proactive recruitment drives have expanded their scope across all sectors and multiple experience levels. 

Given this universal shift in industry recruitment strategies, it’s more than likely you’ll be considering an offer out of the blue sometime in the near future.

So, what’s the play when this happens to you? Here’s some things to consider when the headhunters come knocking.

1. Does it work for you?

If there was a silver lining to emerge from the tumult of the ‘pandemic years’ it would have to be the greater emphasis that’s now placed on work/life balance.

The good news though is that right now, you don’t have to choose one or the other. Employers understand that both pay and conditions will only suffice in attracting the best talent these days. 

A super competitive labour market is a great scenario for those open to offers, so remember that when the time comes. Think about what it is you really value, and go from there. 

2. Don’t be afraid to ask questions 

This might seem like an obvious one, but the more you know, the better.

Do you research about the company, get across how they’re performing and what their employee satisfaction ratings are like. Industry authorities on workplace culture like Great Places to Work is a good place to start.

If they don’t feature on these industry lists (they may be too small or a recent start-up), don’t be afraid to ask questions directly to get a solid grasp on everything you need to know to make a decision. Most importantly though, trust your intuition. 

3. Take your time

Like receiving a flattering compliment, being headhunted can leave you feeling a bit giddy. That’s why it’s important to let your rational brain takeover and consider what’s being offered to you in black and white.

Also, if you receive an unexpected call, you don’t have to talk immediately if you need some time to gather your thoughts or get in the right headspace. There’s nothing wrong with politely and professionally requesting another time to have a proper chat that suits everyone.

4. Be wary of over-promising

When the bigger organisations make you an offer, you might feel like Charlie Bucket in the final scene of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory when Willy Wonka gifts him everything. 

Sometimes, these offers will satisfy all of your needs and it will be a no-brainer of a decision, but it’s also worth considering whether the perks outweigh the actual reality of the role and your career progression.

Smaller organisations might not have the endless resources to give you a ‘golden ticket’ like the big players can, but it might be the smarter move in the long run. Either way, think about what’s right for you. 

5. Understand what’s being offered

If the employer or recruiter has gone about things the right way, you’ll have a detailed job description to pore over. It should cover things like responsibilities, experience, skills and qualification requirements, an overview of the company you’ll be working for, the team you’ll be part of,  and salary range and benefits. 

If you’re not satisfied with the amount of information being shared with you, there’s absolutely nothing wrong with requesting more information to help you make an informed decision. At the bare minimum, this information should be supplied.

Be ready

You might not be considering a move right now, but sometimes an offer that’s too good to refuse will come straight out of left field and change your mind. 

It never hurts to be ready for that moment, and understanding what details you need when the headhunters get in touch, the more prepared you will be to make the right call.

And of course, if you want more information, I’m always happy to chat. Get in touch.

~Garth Kharitou