Dennis, if you can contact me, I’d like to find out more about what it was like “in your trenches.”

When I talk with my students, I’d love to be able to tell both side of the story. You can find me on LinkedIn.

Maybe you are right … I am demonizing run-of-the-mill executive search people, even those at the largest firms, because they by and large do a poor job in the area of PR and communications.

My blog posting was written more from the perspective of feedback I have received from many colleagues than my own experience (because I am an independent consultant).

I must say, however, that you have a superb reputation. I appreciate you taking the time to comment.

David

Interesting piece.

However, I think you’re attempting to demonize the messenger (the headhunter), without having all the relevant facts at hand.

The relationship between candidate, headhunter and client is not as simplistic as you would have your readers believe.

In my 30 years of PR headhunting (and 15 years before that as a PR database marketing executive), I have always found that the most successful PR executives are largely people who understand and nuture the relationship and roll that a headhunter plays in this dance called recruiting. For the most part, they are people who realize that the usual give and take one encounters in every business, is certainly alive and well in the headhunting business.

As for the lack of certification or rigorous testing from a recognized state or federal entity I would certainly agree that just about anyone can call themselves a headhunter. However, PR “professionals” as well can put out a shingle, make unrealistic promises to both their clients and media people, with little to no experience in PR or the industries they specialize in, without ever being certified or sanctioned by any state or federal governing body. Case in point – what day has gone by without a member of the media railing about the lack of knowledge or sheer ineptitude of the PR people that besiege them every day?

In both PR and headhunting there are numerous success stories from clients and candidates alike who will gratefully attest that they owe some portion of their success to the efforts of either a PR professional or PR executive recruiter.

Until both businesses are sanctioned by a state or federal entity we all must continue to move forward to offer the best and most ethical service we can provide to our clients – until the free marketplace deems otherwise.

By the way, I’m 65 years old and have been in and around the PR business since I was 19 years old. I believe I know PR as well as anyone.

David, keep up the good work.

Best regards,

Dennis