Customer Reviews

Headhunters Revealed! Career Secrets for Choosing and Using Professional Recruiters

5 star:		(21)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(6)

 

 

In a turbulent economy with continuing waves of unemployment, Darrell Guerney's book is a lifeline for new job-seekers and those in career transition alike. Headhunters Revealed offers concise, practical advice on how to search and assess professional recruiting firms. The checklists at the end of the chapters provide organizational incentives for those starting struggling with the job search process. Guerney writes with a bright, accessible style, but always with an underlying empathy, honesty and concern for both the headhunter and the client, stressing the value of the individual and the value of the work. The quotes,from Desiderata to Drucker add perspective and humor. An excellent resource. I recommend it to my own clients.

While, as some of the previous reviews note, this book is guilty of dispensing some fairly obvious information (the most efficient headhunters have computers, for example) and the hypothetical exchanges featuring a fictitious headhunter and some fairly heavy-handed humor do little to keep you turning the page, if you evaluate this book strictly on the usable information contained, it is a very good value.

Inside information, such as how to increase the likelihood that your resume will be read and how to format your resume for cut and paste email are two items that I do not recall seeing elsewhere and are very much on point for an effective career search campaign.

If you look past the "humorous" vignettes (as Gurney actually is an effective and witty writer otherwise) and I found this to be that fairly rare commodity that delivers what it is supposed to.

Darrell Gurney is an amusing writer, who judiciously utilizes humor at a time when many of us need it the most: "Ugh! How am I ever going to find a job in this economy?" Well, if you "walk the talk" this book serves up, you're halfway there.

As a child I was told, half in jest, that the mark of an intelligent person was his or her ability to follow directions. The first step is: BUY THIS BOOK. The second is stick to the program -- this guy definitely knows what he's talking about.

Remember, you can lead a horse to water, but the hard part is getting the bathing suit on. Darrell helps you through the hard part --- what more can you ask for?

p.s. I look forward to another book by Darrell Gurney. I have no doubt that when you hit the playing field with Darrell as your coach, you'll score touchdowns you never imagined.

In "Headhunters Revealed!" Darrell Gurney demystifies the role of the professional recruiter. His book is comprehensive and easy-to-read (as well as humorous). He explains the advantages of using a recruiter, distinguishes among the different types of recruiters, advises on how to select a recruiter, and provides tips on how to work effectively with a recruiter. Most people are unfamiliar with the role of professional recruiters and often receive misleading information about them, as I have at seminars on career change. Mr Gurney is a straight-shooter who provides straight-talk about what professional recruiters can offer. If you are even remotely considering using a recruiter in your job hunt, this book is a must.

I have been reading a lot of books lately on modern recruiting and on recruiters. This book is really unique. It is witty and clever, but don't be deceived--the content is substantial and cutting edge, not merely glib. For instance, of all the books I've read lately, this is the best on doing an "internet resume." The material on using and schmoozing recruiters is excellent. If, like me, you are interested in exploring being a recruiter, it is a superb guidebook--explaining the business and its idiosyncracies and the elements of success thoroughly but succinctly. I would recommend this book to be on the priority "A" list for anyone interested in moving along the career path either now or in the foreseeable future, and for anyone interested in a career as a recruiter. It's great.

This should count among the dumbest books I've read about career and job search.

Other than mostly giving information that's available for free on the web (be good friends with your recruiter, good impression is important, be careful coz they get paid by the employer), it has a disproportionaltely large number of rather inane and annoying limmericks. I can't see how they will not put anyone off. These limericks cannot be skipped as they sort of position themselves in the beginning of the chapter, where Hedda Hunter (gimme a break!) gets a phone call from Wan A Job.

If you are at the stage where you need a headhunter, you're probably way too mature to be reading this piece of junk.

This is surely a wonderful guide for job hunters who are new to Earth. If you've enjoyed this planet for a while, you probably already know everything in here. If your career is at a level where you will actually find a headhunter to be useful, you definitely already know everything here.

Handy tips include:

Don't pick a headhunter who doesn't own a fax or computer.
There are web sites for headhunters with their contact info.
There is this book called the Red Book (The Directory of Executive Recruiters), with a whole bunch of headhunters in it.
Tell the headhunter what kind of job you're looking for, then tell the guy to pound sand if he keeps suggesting unrelated jobs.
Headhunters get paid by employers.

I almost feel guilty for giving the whole book away in this review.

The "scenarios" at the beginning of each chapter with "Hedda Hunter, the Head Hunter" are just the beginning of the childish inanity.

Save your money on this and buy a decent resume book and the Red Book instead--there's absolutely nothing here.

This book is the perfect guide to the world of recruiters, careers, and the job search. It is handy, weel-written, and packed with insights that not only assist a more efficient job hunt, but take away the mystique of "headhunters." The chapters make sense in building an effective methodology for career planning, as well as the resources available for a successful candidate in this tight-labor market. Even if you're not looking for a change in your employment right now, you should add this book to your library. It will come in handy someday.

I spent the afternoon reading your book and couldn't help but ask..."why did I not read (discover)this five years ago?" I've been in a career funk and your book has delivered some great tips and how best to use headhunters to get me back on track. Specifically, building a partnership for the tough times...great insight. Thanks.

In Headhunters Revealed! professional recruiter Darrell Gurney shares a wealth of witty and practical advice on how to reap the enormous benefits of being a "hunted head" in today's employment market; how to stay cool in the wrong job until the right one shows up; assessing and interviewing headhunters to find the best ones of you; how to manage your career like an entrepreneur for all it's worth; how to establish "career partnerships' for a lifetime payoff; commanding the most from your "employable assets"; and how to position yourself strategically in a recruiter's database. Highly recommended reading for all career minded men and women, Headhunters Revealed! demystifies what recruiters do and how best to take advantage of the recruitment system for the best job or corporate career you can get.