Developing and maintaining relationships with recruiting professionals at reputable Executive Search Firms is an effective component of managing your long-term career development. Do not discount the value of executive search professionals in helping you advance your career potential.

Please review and consider the following tips when dealing with executive search professionals:

• It is important to understand that executive search firms are paid by their client to source, recruit and place candidates that fit their needs.
• When working with recruiters, ask for their advice with respect to helping you understand the recruiting process and how you can be most effective throughout the process.
• When working with a recruiter who has presented you to his or her client, it is important that you be reachable and return phone calls promptly.
• It is important that you be open and honest in your dealings with search professionals that you have entrusted.
• Recruiters will generally request your compensation information early on in the process. Make sure you provide a complete and accurate "picture" of your compensation situation – it is very important that you fully disclose all the components of your compensation.
• If you are working with more than one recruiter, make sure that there is not a duplication of efforts. You want to avoid situations where you are being presented to the same company by more than one recruiter.
• If you have submitted your resume and related information to a recruiter on an unsolicited basis, you will likely not be contacted unless that recruiter or his/her firm is involved on an assignment where your skillset or background is a "fit."
• Follow up with the recruiter immediately following any and all phone and/or face-to-face interviews scheduled with a client/employer. It is important that the recruiter be able to get back to his/her client as soon as possible to discuss your interest level in the opportunity for which you were interviewed.
• View the recruiter as a resource. Developing and nurturing relationships with these professionals will almost always help you in the long-run.