The Headhunter

The lowdown on what it’s really like. One woman talks about her work and life.

Name: Emma Child

Age: 31

Job title: Headhunter

Top survival tip
Flexibility and good humour.

The day-to-day
I’m a headhunter. Through an exhaustive process of market research, I identify senior level corporate financiers and venture capitalists that fit the needs of our clients.

I normally get into the office between 7.45am and 8.15am. Each day is different, but I spend some of the day meeting candidates and seeing clients. I also spend a significant amount of time on the phone researching relevant people in the market.

The past
When I was about ten years’ old I remember wanting to be an Army Officer. I also had visions of being a famous world-class athlete or downhill skier, but my first thought of a real job was definitely the army.

Getting started
I did go into the armed forces and was an officer for eight years, so headhunting is my second career. I got into it by replying to an advertisement in a magazine specifically designed for officers about to leave the armed forces.

I joined another firm when I first left the army, but knew that I ultimately wanted to be part of The Rose Partnership , my current firm. I joined them in February 2000. I’ve had a fairly steep leaning curve getting into the search business. But I now feel I’m beginning to work a little more to my potential. You have to learn the methodology of the job before you can go on and utilise your full potential.

Typical path?
I don’t think there is one. Some people come straight from university and really have always wanted to become a headhunter. Most come from other industries and effectively fall in to it.

Are you qualified?
There are no specific qualifications. There are however, specific skills that you need to have or develop to be successful.

Skills and personality
You need to be reasonably bright. You need to be confident and be able to speak easily at all levels. You need to be inquisitive, articulate and interested in others. You need attention to detail and to be able to write fluently and descriptively.

It helps to have certain personality traits and these particular ones help me to do my job: I’m a good listener, flexible, conscientious. I’m empathic, open and loyal. I have a strong streak of integrity and good judgement skills.