Headhunter can open door you can't get through

Last week's "Headhunter Challenge" asked what you would do if you sent a résumé to a company six months ago, never heard back from them and then a headhunter says that he can get you into this company for an interview. What's the best way to proceed?

Here are some of the Headhunter's thoughts. His full commentary is at www.nwjobs.com/headhunter.

A good headhunter can help you navigate the muck and mire of the candidate review process in most companies.

More than once, I have placed people in companies where the human-resources department already had the candidate's résumé buried in its files. HR departments are so busy that they may drop the ball and lose good candidates without realizing it.

While a hiring manager may be interested in you, an HR clerk might have put a big X on your application.

A good headhunter has direct access to the hiring manager and is more motivated than the HR department to make a connection, because the headhunter earns a fee.

Note that I'm talking about good headhunters. (Many are no better than rushed HR clerks; they just push paper.) It's up to you to make sure you're working with someone you can trust.

Start by checking out the headhunter's credentials, including client and candidate references. Ask for them.

Has the headhunting firm placed other people in this company? Does it specialize in your field? If the headhunter is credible, this is your best bet to get in the employer's door.

While you can try to get back into the company on your own, remember that the headhunter likely has more information and influence than you do. But let me caution you.

If you agree to work through the headhunter and also try to get back in contact with the company yourself, you are likely to create confusion. The company will wonder why you are applying through two different channels at the same time.

Nick Corcodilos is author of "Ask The Headhunter: Reinventing the Interview to Win the Job," and host of www.asktheheadhunter.com.

He can be reached by e-mail at seattle@asktheheadhunter.com or at North Bridge Group, P.O. Box 600, Lebanon, NJ 08833. Sorry, no personal replies.