Making A Lateral Move In The Tax Field? Should You Contact A Headhunter?

If you've been with the same employer for most of your career as a certified public accountant (CPA), you may at some point discover that your salary isn't advancing as quickly as those hired after you -- or worse, your upward trajectory has stalled completely. In many cases, the best way to increase your salary and career potential is to make a lateral move to another firm. However, finding the right position in a saturated market while working a demanding job can seem overwhelming. When can a headhunter help you make your move? Read on to learn more about what a headhunter can do for you when you're seeking a lateral change, as well as situations in which you may be better off finding your own new path.

How can a headhunter assist you?

Headhunters are recruitment professionals who match professional or specialized jobs with job seekers. Many companies turn to headhunters to fill any open slots rather than operate (and pay for) an entire human resources department focused on interviewing and finding the right candidate. In exchange for this service, the headhunter receives a signing bonus or other financial incentive for each applicant successfully placed. Some headhunters may also get a bonus if they have a high retention rate (in that most candidates placed stay with their new jobs for a minimum period of time) -- so headhunters are highly motivated to make sure that you are the right person for the job.

For CPAs who want to make a lateral move -- either to increase salary or widen the range of advancement opportunities -- a headhunter can provide valuable feedback and help you evaluate whether a specific job change is the right one for you. CPA and accounting headhunters deal with a wide range of specialties and working environments. And by identifying the factors that are most important to you (like a good work/life balance, an interesting area of tax law, or a rapid advancement track), your headhunter should be able to present you with a number of job opportunities from which to choose.

When may a headhunter not be a good idea?

Although a headhunter can be a valuable asset in the job search, there are some situations in which using a headhunter may be of only limited help.

The first is if you're planning to make a lateral transition into the public sector. Most headhunters deal with private or publicly-traded companies, and few public sector employers are willing to fund a headhunter's fee in addition to maintaining a human resources department.

Another situation in which you may not be able to get much help from a headhunter is if you've already applied to many of the companies in your field before seeking out additional help. If a company has already rejected or waitlisted you when you previously applied, it's unlikely a headhunter will be able to bypass this and present you as the ideal candidate.

For more information, contact a company like Tax Recruiting Specialists.