If you want your head hunted, here's how to make it happen.

Headhunters sound great in theory. Rather than looking for jobs in the newspaper and sending off applications – so old-fashioned, really -- you just relax in your swish office and wait for your headhunter to call you with details of exclusive opportunities. In practice, it’s a bit different. First, they have to think you're a marketable commodity.

Here's how to get a headhunter interested in you:

1. Have a good job to start with. Headhunters primarily recruit for senior, highly sought-after positions, and there's nothing they relish more than enticing someone away from their current (good) job. You want to be able to negotiate from a position of strength and cherry-pick the best opportunities. It’s also worth bearing in mind that headhunters track people’s careers through contacts, the papers, trade press and also keep their ears to the ground for news of any up-and-coming bright sparks. They watch out for people too junior to be key players at the moment because they might well become so in the future. If you’re not in a position to be poached just yet, work towards it by excelling at work and networking.
   
   
2. Contact headhunters before you need them. It could take a year or two before the right opportunity comes up, so it's wise to develop relationships early. Find out which consultancies specialise in your industry and job-type. If they are interested, they will want to build a strong relationship with you so that they fully understand what opportunities will interest you. So keep them up to date with any major changes in your job or outlook.
   3. Come with a recommendation. The best way to get a headhunter’s attention is for a colleague to suggest your name. Barring that, send them a low-key, professional CV and covering letter. Say something like, ‘Although I'm happy in my current position, I am interested in relocating (or a change in job function, or a more strategic/hands-on/managerial role) out of Central London (or whatever is relevant to you)’. Avoid sounding desperate. Project the image that only the best job could lure you away.
      
      
   4. Look for a discerning consultant. Most headhunters know that professionals often don't want their colleagues to know they're looking around. Do warn recruiters of this by adding it to your covering letter, ‘Please keep my details in the strictest confidence, as I'm currently employed and do not wish to go public with my search.’ You need a consultant who will take the time to get to know you, your skills set and your ambitions, and who will act professionally on your behalf, only contacting you about real opportunities that meet all your requirements.
      
      
   5. Finally, remember that headhunters are just one way of getting a job. It's estimated that only three per cent of executive positions are filled by such searches. So – and it doesn't take a genius to work it out -- that means 97 per cent of jobs are filled the old-fashioned way. So use your contacts, read the jobs pages, network in your industry. While headhunters are always an attractive alternative, remember that the only person you can really depend on to get you a job, is yourself.