Resume. Or career. And resume. Your career. A network. The career. The resume. His career. My career.
Your real competition isn't some job hunter off the street. It's the candidate who was coached by The Headhunter. Use The Headhunter's insider perspective to your advantage; don't let it sneak up and bite you!

30. Tell me who your friends are.
An old adage says, Tell me who your friends are, and I'll know who you are.

Suddenly you find you need a reference. Someone who can confirm what outstanding work you do. But, you can't find your old boss; he's moved on. Your old co-workers barely remember you because you haven't called them in four years. Your customers? The vendors you used to deal with? You changed industries, and didn't think you'd ever need them again. Besides, it wasn't convenient -- or it was awkward -- to stay in touch. Now they've all moved on, too. Everyone's gone, and you have no idea where. Suddenly, your entire past seems to have disappeared along with your good intentions to keep in touch with your professional associates.

Welcome to the twilight zone, a place where good headhunters never tread. Become forgotten in your professional community, and we will never find you.

Good headhunters are notorious for keeping all the good relationships they've ever formed, because that's how they are judged. It's how they judge you.

So, tell me: Who are your old friends? If I called and asked them to recommend a good candidate for a search I'm working on, would your name come up? Would they even remember you?