Recruitment Services
Executive Head Hunting & Specialist Recruitment
We Don't Wait for the Right Candidate to Apply. We Go and Find Them.
Unique Personnel's Head Hunting service identifies and approaches high-calibre professionals who may not be actively looking for their next career opportunity.
When a position requires a particular combination of experience, technical expertise, leadership capability or industry knowledge, traditional advertising may not be enough.
Our head hunting specialists proactively identify potential candidates, discreetly engage them and assess their suitability against your requirements.
The right person may not be looking for a job. We know how to find them.
What is head hunting?
Head hunting is a proactive recruitment strategy used to identify and approach specific professionals who possess the skills, experience and background required for a particular position.
Unlike conventional recruitment, where candidates respond to an advertisement or submit a CV, head hunting starts with the person you need to find.
We identify professionals who match your requirements, including candidates who are currently employed, are not actively searching, or may not be registered with traditional job boards.
Why head hunting?
Some roles cannot be filled by waiting for applications:
- A CFO with specific industry experience
- An Engineering Manager who has worked on a particular type of project
- A Sales Director with an established customer network
- An IT specialist with a very specific technology background
- A senior executive who can lead a transformation or growth strategy
They aren't looking for you. That's why we look for them.
Our head hunting process
01Define the target
Understand the position, organisation, culture, responsibilities and non-negotiable requirements.
02Build the profile
Create the candidate search blueprint for the assignment.
03Map the market
Industries, companies, departments, positions and professionals.
04Identify candidates
Including Unique Personnel's database of over one million registered CVs.
05Approach discreetly
Confidential outreach that protects both client and candidate.
06Qualify and assess
Separate someone who looks suitable on paper from someone who is genuinely suitable.
07Shortlist
Present the strongest, qualified professionals.
08Interview and manage
Coordinate the process and keep both sides informed.
09Offer and close
Support negotiation through to acceptance.
10Placement
Secure the right person and handover cleanly.
Active candidates vs passive candidates
Traditional recruitment
Reaches active job seekers – people already looking and applying.
Head hunting
Reaches passive candidates – people who may not be looking, but could consider the right opportunity.
Head hunting gives you access to both. Passive candidates often hold the scarce skills, leadership experience and industry relationships that advertised roles never attract.
When should you use head hunting?
Executive appointments
Leadership roles where the market of suitable people is small and discreet.
Specialist and scarce skills
Technical, financial, commercial or industry-specific expertise that is hard to advertise for.
Confidential searches
When a replacement or new role cannot be advertised publicly.
Advertised roles that stall
When applications are weak, or the right people are simply not looking.
Need us to find someone who isn't looking?
Talk to Unique Personnel about a confidential head hunting assignment.
Make an enquiry