Academic headhunter

[Fuzzyendofthelolly]

Anyone got any experience of being approached by a headhunter? Specifically, I've been approached by an in-house executive search team from a university one rung up the ladder from mine, regarding a role that would be a promotion.

I currently collaborate with a team at the university, so I guess that's why they've heard of me. But I'm wondering what the normal search process is. Do they spread their net far and wide, so I'm likely to be one of many? And is a preliminary informal chat, really just a chat or (if I say yes) would I need to do some proper prep?

Any thoughts or experiences very welcome.

i've had emails several times from headhunters at universities where I have no connection, and I tend to just ignore them.

if you are interested, do start the conversation. I imagine it is worth at least preparing some sensible questions to ask if you are seriously considering the role.

I've had conversations with headhunters - for jobs that I could have done (Dean/PBC level) but didn't want (wrong country, wrong city etc etc). From what I gleaned, it's their job to be looking at interesting people who are active and might be interested. It was clear that I'd still have to make applications.

The job I did apply for & get after being head-hunted (in that I didn't have to do a competitive interview/selection) I was asked to apply by the then dean, so I guessed she saved her university a head-hunter's fee ...

It's their job to be looking at interesting people who are active and might be interested. It was clear that I'd still have to make applications.

Unless it is a post that is specifically being created for you, headhunters will be trying to gather a good field of candidates for the role.

Yes, of course.

From experience academic headhunters are pretty much a waste of money and know almost nothing about the department, the people, the type of work they do and the job beyond the marketing guff. There was a phase of using them a lot, particularly for senior roles, about 20 years ago but very few places use them now. By all means talk to them but, if you're actually interested in the job/the department then talk to people there and sound them out. Don't rely on the headhunters.