The newest breed of professional recruiters are involved with recruiting staff on an interim basis. Temp staffing at the executive level is growing rapidly. The number of executive job openings controlled by recruiters is sizeable, but it still comprises only 7 to 9 percent of the executive market. While 8,000 firms claim to be active, fewer than a dozen firms dominate the majority of the upper-end business. However, many fine smaller firms specializing by industry or discipline have been playing an increasingly important role.
Most recruiters often play a role in helping management set up position specifications.
If you are in your 30s or 40s, you should develop relationships and maintain them throughout your career. Their sources for finding people range from directories and the press to their own broad range of contacts and files of resumes. Being visible in your industry is the major key to success with recruiters. Being in a hot field or industry can improve things still further. They will be focused on filling their active contracts.