When I say I am a Talent Hunter, the reactions are usually one of three: “And what is that?”, “Oh, so you work in HR”, “So can you find me a job?”. Today I will tell you what happens behind the scenes, the part of the job that does not show up in the job title.
1. We are more secret agents than recruiters
A good share of our processes are confidential. Some companies are looking to replace someone in a position that is still filled, and some candidates take our call from their car in the parking lot so no one at the office can hear. In Honduras everyone knows each other: your neighbor’s cousin is your boss’s best friend. That is why discretion is not an added value, it is the foundation of everything. We use code names, we are careful with every email and we never reveal who is hiring or who is looking to move. What you tell a headhunter stays with the headhunter.
2. We do not look for résumés, we look for people
A CV tells you where someone has worked, but it does not tell you why they left, what motivates them or what their family needs. Our job is to understand the whole story. And here is the most rewarding part of the job: making the call that says “you got it”. We have heard shouts of joy, emotional silences and, more than once, the whole family celebrating in the background. Knowing you helped someone grow professionally, earn more or finally work close to home is priceless.
3. We are interview coaches (and we do not charge the candidate)
Before a candidate meets our client, we prepare them. We help them present their achievements with concrete data instead of “I am proactive and work well under pressure”, talk about salary without fear and not speak badly about their previous boss, even if they have every reason to. We also give advice that sounds obvious but saves processes: in a video interview, camera on, good lighting and, please, not from bed.
4. We translate between two worlds
Sometimes the client asks for a unicorn: 25 years old, 15 years of experience, three languages and a salary from ten years ago. And sometimes the candidate wants the general manager’s salary with two years of experience. Our role is to align expectations honestly, on both sides, because a good hire only works when both parties win.
5. The part that does not shine, but carries weight
Psychometric assessments, reference checks, competency-based interviews, reports for the client and follow-up after the hire. Hours of invisible work so that the final decision is the right one.
So, what does a headhunter do?
They connect talent with opportunity, keep secrets, prepare people, negotiate expectations and, every now and then, change a life. So the next time a headhunter writes to you, answer. It may not be today’s opportunity, but it could be tomorrow’s.
Jilliam Varela, Talent Hunter Honduras