Working in the fashion industry isn't, as any insider knows, all glitz and glamour. Becoming successful in fashion requires real grit and determination. Headhunters, however are often true industry insiders, with a long list of contacts, and a great judge of character, who can be crucial in finding the ideal candidate for an open position on behalf of an employer.
Headhunters are most useful for those working in the fashion industry at a managerial or executive level. For employers looking to fill a role in a hurry, headhunters can help in speeding along the process but they can also help employers in the industry who are looking for a candidate with the right mix of skills and experience. At the executive level obviously experience is crucial but for top-tier positions, often it is as much about finding the right candidate who suits the ethos, culture, tone, and aspirations of an organisation. Headhunters can help in such specialised and specific searches.
Whether looking for a designer, a buyer, or a PR manager, headhunters can help fill any position. They differ from recruitment agencies in that they are normally even more specialised in the sector, and know the landscape of the industry better even than the back of their own hand. Usually held on a retainer, headhunters are paid up-front and due to the expense involved are, therefore, normally only employed to find a company or organisation's top level employees.