Obviously the mix of technical, managerial and personal competences required varies with each job or assignment. For technical specialists, there are usually rare and sought after skills. Current examples in chemistry are combinatorial chemistry, chemoinformatics, carbohydrate chemistry and molecular modelling. In addition, employers want transferable skills such as commercial awareness, communication and team-working skills. Flexibility, drive, enthusiasm and creativity are frequent descriptors.
Headhunters never charge candidates, only the client.
Typical fees for a search assignment are 30 per cent of the job's starting annual remuneration, usually payable in three equal instalments, namely a commissioning fee of 10 per cent, a second fee on acceptance of the shortlist and the final fee payable on appointment. Fees for selection are usually 20-25 per cent plus advertising costs. Compared with advertising, headhunting initially seems expensive. However, when the management and administrative costs involved in handling the response and interviews are taken into account, advertising can become an extremely expensive and inefficient way to find people. Recently, one of our clients advertised for a senior synthetic organic chemist and processed over 100 replies, finding just one worth interviewing.