headhunter question

I got contacted by a headhunter today. I am very happy with my present job, and not looking. the job that they contacted me about is probably a small increase from my present job, but not huge. I am an extremely good fit for what they are looking for, and I think that the headhunter came across me talking to people in my industry. not an company that competes with mine. I told him what I made this year, and I told him that I wasn't willing to relocate, and he said that the job would allow me to continue to work from home most of the time like I do now.

my job is good, and going well. the only down side is that my boss is planning on retiring in the next 3-4 years, and there is nobody from the potential replacements that I want to work for, and I have understood that I won't be a viable candidate for her job. so I could end up working for somebody I don't like. also, its a family business, and when the CEO retires, probably in 5 years, there is a chance they could sell the company and that would mean me loosing my job. so in the short term I am very happy, but I will probably have to look for a new job in 3-7 years, when I will be 47 to 50.

so, here's the thing, I am not sure that I am interested in the job, but I do like the idea that a headhunter found me, and I want to keep the channel open and possible develop a situation where more headhunters will think of me.


ok - from those of you who are adults and have a relevant opinion - please let me know your thoughts.

IMO it's rather hard to maintain a relationship with a headhunter unless you get some face time. Even if you don't plan on taking this job, if it doesn't interfere with your schedule, it might be wise to go in for a talk and discuss this position further with them and develop a contact.

You gotta talk to them, z. At least see what the other deal is, and to cement your awesomeness with the HH.

At some point you need to casually talk to your present boss and the CEO about any succession plan they have in place and how you fit in.

Originally Posted by Dakota rube

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At some point you need to casually talk to your present boss and the CEO about any succession plan they have in place and how you fit in.

thanks - I had a talk a few months ago with my boss and basically told her that, since she had told me she was retiring, I needed her to help me make myself a viable candidate for her job by giving me canada (so that I would have some north american experience). she talked about it for a while, but in the end it didn't happen. that leads me to believe that I am not a viable candidate for her job.

^They have to know you will be open to other potential employers, then.
Talk to the HH, zach. If something develops beyond talking, then you have to have another chat with your boss.

Do you think the CEO is aware of the discussion you had with your boss about Canada?

As someone who retired at 49 with the intent of doing something new within a few years I can tell you that you don't want to be looking for a new job at 47, even if the economy is humming along well. At a certain point companies keep a limit on the 50+ crowd and want lower cost younger workers. Unless you start something yourself it can be very hard to find something in your late 40's or older.

Originally Posted by Dakota rube

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Do you think the CEO is aware of the discussion you had with your boss about Canada?
I think his boss is the CEO.

Originally Posted by pocketsquareguy

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As someone who retired at 49 with the intent of doing something new within a few years I can tell you that you don't want to be looking for a new job at 47, even if the economy is humming along well. At a certain point companies keep a limit on the 50+ crowd and want lower cost younger workers. Unless you start something yourself it can be very hard to find something in your late 40's or older.
Don't you freelance now PSG? I could have swore I remember reading about you helping out companies here and there. Z - Meet with the hunter. Even if his opening isn't the right one for you, the people in his field talk with each other quite a bit, and he might speak your name to another HH one day who will come along with the perfect job for you. 2 more plusses in my mind 1) You get your name out there for other opportunities and meet other people who are involved in hiring (its who you know). 2) while not necessarily telling your boss, if she happened to find out, might realize that she could possibly lose one of her best employees, thus necessitating a little bit better position for good ole' Z, just to keep him happy.

thanks, I think that I will meet with him, but I'd like any and all additional opinions that you have.


my boss is the VP, she reports to the CEO. the CEO really doesn't look into the details of what the sales and marketing department does, and he doesn't really understand what we do.

Originally Posted by globetrotter

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my boss is the VP, she reports to the CEO. the CEO really doesn't look into the details of what the sales and marketing department does, and he doesn't really understand what we do.
Maybe its time to fill him in?

Originally Posted by Rambo

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Maybe its time to fill him in?

it really is complicated. he's a good guy, grandson of founder. good engineer, seriously doesn't understand and doesn't want to understand what it is we do in the sales and marketing side of the business. my boss (VP of sales and marketing) is really the power in the company - since she took her job, the company has grown maybe 500 percent or more in 12-15 years. for personal reasons she has told me that she will retire in less than 4 years. she told me (and I believe her) that she will give me a year notice of her retirement, and that she will be the one hiring her replacement from outside the company.

the issue with Canada was complicated, too. my boss was going to put it under my control, with the idea that I would make radical changes and be able to get more revenue with less people, and I could use those headcounts to generate more revenue in other parts of the world. I think that the CEO, while he values me, didn't want to let a half dozen people who had been with the company for years go, even if it meant more revenue and profits for the company. so filling him in won't help me, I am sure that my boss wanted to give me canada and the CEO held back in order to protect the jobs of some of the people in that team who are not worth keeping.

Hi Globetrotter,
Coming into this thread a bit late. Believe it or not, there is a way to stay in touch with headhunters. My brother did a cool thing - he got some 75 headhunting companies and sent postcards - yes postcards out a regular basis that focused onhis skills and experience. Within a year, he had landed an EVP postion at a private equity co. Just sayin.....
Pocketsquare is right..getting a new job in the 45-50 yo range is tough, but not impossible. My Dad got a job at 62 with Tecumseh Products - he was a good engineer. Senior people are a wealthof knowledge and experience and I would take them over a 26 yo MBA anyday.
back to you:
1. Meet with him. Stay in play. Ask lots of questions.
2. Have you considered a contract? My attorney sister tells me that the mere mention of an employment contract - say 4 years @ x$ per year - ups the anty right off the bat. I believe her.
3. Succession planning is difficult for companies. They dont want to talk about it. So you take the bull by the horns. Talk to your CEO. Be blunt. Am I in line for this job?
You sound like CEO material. Shoot for the top. We need more smart guys like you running American business. Good luck bro.

Originally Posted by globetrotter

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my boss is the VP, she reports to the CEO. the CEO really doesn't look into the details of what the sales and marketing department does, and he doesn't really understand what we do.

I never understand that. The CEO of a company should understand what each division does. Maybe not in a minute detail, but should be able to sit in on a meeting of any division and understand what they are talking about.

Meet with the HH. Can't hurt and liks already stated, it gives you some face time!

GT, meet with the HH. Give that person your resume and keep in yearly contact with them by giving them an updated resume. Also, help the HH. I got a call from an HH a couple of weeks ago. I'm really not looking to leave, just signed a five year contract, but I keep track of market data points for pay, scope of duties, etc. and keep up the networking just because you never know.

This job was for a Fortune 500 and an SVP level. What I did was actually give the name of a peer that might be interested. The HH really appreciated that and I know the two people have talked. My advice is network for the HH too as that makes them really remember you. Perhaps you don't want this job but recommend a good candidate and this HH will remember you.

Originally Posted by globetrotter

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it really is complicated. he's a good guy, grandson of founder. good engineer, seriously doesn't understand and doesn't want to understand what it is we do in the sales and marketing side of the business. my boss (VP of sales and marketing) is really the power in the company - since she took her job, the company has grown maybe 500 percent or more in 12-15 years. for personal reasons she has told me that she will retire in less than 4 years. she told me (and I believe her) that she will give me a year notice of her retirement, and that she will be the one hiring her replacement from outside the company.

the issue with Canada was complicated, too. my boss was going to put it under my control, with the idea that I would make radical changes and be able to get more revenue with less people, and I could use those headcounts to generate more revenue in other parts of the world. I think that the CEO, while he values me, didn't want to let a half dozen people who had been with the company for years go, even if it meant more revenue and profits for the company. so filling him in won't help me, I am sure that my boss wanted to give me canada and the CEO held back in order to protect the jobs of some of the people in that team who are not worth keeping.

Based on the bolded part, I'm reading it as: you are where you are and that's just how it is. Based on that, I'd talk to the headhunter.