Headhunting and Executive Search for Recruiters
What you'll learn
- Understand the fundamentals of headhunting and executive search
- Learn how top-level hiring differs from standard recruitment
- Build strong relationships with hiring managers through effective intake meetings
- Create compelling job descriptions, candidate scorecards, and pitch materials
- Conduct market research to assess salary benchmarks and talent availability
- Develop detailed search strategies and candidate maps for executive roles
- Create target company lists and gather candidate contact data
- Apply advanced sourcing and outreach methods, including cold calling
- Build long lists and short lists using automation and manual techniques
- Conduct first contact with executive candidates and handle objections
- Prepare and support candidates through the interview and offer process
- Navigate counter-offers and guide candidates through final decision-making
- Present market insights and candidate data effectively to hiring managers
- Use real-world templates for job offers, scorecards, candidate pipelines, and more
Requirements
- Basic understanding of recruitment or HR processes
- Experience in sourcing or interviewing candidates is a plus
- Familiarity with LinkedIn and job boards
- Interest in hiring for executive or hard-to-fill roles
- Willingness to apply templates, tools, and strategies in real-world settings
Description
Want to recruit top-level talent like a pro? This course will show you how.
Executive Search and Headhunting are more than just buzzwords — they’re elite recruitment skills that separate average recruiters from top performers. Whether you’re filling C-level roles or hard-to-reach positions, you’ll learn how to target, engage, and close high-value candidates other recruiters can’t even find.
In this hands-on training, you’ll master every stage of the headhunting process — from building a job order and scanning the market, to cold outreach, handling counter-offers, and closing the deal. Learn the exact frameworks and tools used by executive search firms to consistently win at the highest level.
This course is based on 20+ years of experience in the field and designed to give you ready-to-use templates, scripts, maps, and strategies you can apply immediately.
What’s Inside the Course
1. Foundations of Executive Search and Headhunting
Key differences from traditional recruiting
History and structure of high-level recruitment
Process overview and essential tools
2. Job Order Intake & Hiring Manager Sync
What makes a great job order
Understanding A-players and Most Placeable Candidates (MPCs)
Creating a compelling recruiting strategy and scorecard
Tools: Pitch templates, search maps, job text frameworks
3. Market Scanning & Pre-Search
Estimating market size and salary expectations
Analyzing employer attractiveness and funnel depth
Creating a recruitment map and generating a market report
4. Building a Target List
Strategic networking and sourcing channels
Contact-finding and cold call techniques
Gathering competitive intelligence
5. Long List Development & Sourcing
Structuring long lists with real company and candidate data
Automation tools and sourcing platforms
Ready-to-use long list templates
6. Creating a Short List & Engaging Candidates
Outreach messaging and response strategies
Candidate analysis and interview prep
Motivation mapping and selling the role
Short list and interview presentation best practices
7. Advanced Headhunting & Offer Strategy
How to handle passive candidates
Counter-offer prevention
Coaching hiring managers to close top talent
Offer delivery scripts and follow-up methods
8. Finalizing the Offer and Candidate Support
Designing and delivering a winning offer
Preparing for negotiation and objections
Helping the candidate transition and onboard
Final checklists and closure techniques
Ready to become the recruiter everyone calls when a critical position needs to be filled?
Join now and start mastering the skills of headhunting and executive search — the most lucrative and respected niche in recruitment.
Who this course is for:
- Recruiters and Talent Acquisition Specialists who want to move into executive-level hiring
- HR professionals looking to expand their skill set in headhunting and direct search
- Agency and in-house recruiters who need to fill senior or hard-to-source roles
- Sourcing specialists aiming to build deeper strategies for targeting top-level talent
- Freelance and independent recruiters seeking higher-paying projects with executive clients
- Career switchers or junior recruiters wanting to learn a premium, in-demand recruiting skill
Instructor
- 4.5 Instructor Rating
- 6,381 Reviews
- 102,353 Students
- 348 Courses
Meet Mike Pritula: #1 Udemy AI HR Instructor, Investor and Mike Pritula Academy founder
- Built HR for Wargaming | Preply | iDeals | PeopleForce and more
- Brought HRCI and SHRM certification to more than 10 countries
- Founded the World's first and biggest AI HR online Academy with 135 online courses in 5 languages and 175 countries
- Worked with Randford, Deloitte, EY, HAY group, Korn-Ferry and other consultants on numerous HR projects
- Udemy shareholder
Why Should You Learn From Me?
I am not just an instructor; I’m a proven leader who has transformed HR and operational strategies across industries. Over the past 20 years, I’ve guided more than 100,000 HR professionals worldwide to excel in their careers. Here’s what sets me apart:
• Founder of Mike Pritula AI HR Academy: A leading online AI HR academy offering 135+ courses and home to one of the largest HR communities with over 200,000 members.
• Creator of the most comprehensive HR Audit Checklist and the HR Competency Model used by professionals globally.
• Holder of globally recognized certifications including PHRi, SHRM-CP, and HCI sHRBP, ensuring that I bring industry-leading knowledge to every course.
• HR automation expert who has implemented tools like BambooHR, 15Five, PeopleForce, and many others to streamline operations in leading companies.
• A trusted advisor and keynote speaker, with over 5 million views on my articles and presentations.
• Youtube Silver Button holder for my Educational HR channel
What Have I Achieved?
• Recognized as one of the Top 10 AI HR Leaders.
• Named HR Person of the Year in Ukraine (2018) and Belarus (2017).
• Authored two career-defining books, “Resume for a Million” and “AI in HR”, helping professionals land dream jobs and prepare for the future of HR.
• First to launch HRCI Certification Prep Courses in over 10 countries, bringing global certifications to a wider audience.
• Designed and led 50+ high-impact HR projects across diverse industries.
My Career Journey: Proven Expertise in Transforming Businesses
From multinational corporations to innovative startups, I have played key HR leadership roles in companies like Wargaming, Preply, iDeals, and Alfa Bank. My accomplishments include:
• Building four high-performing HR teams from scratch to drive organizational success.
• Leading HR transformations, such as implementing OKR systems, enhancing recruitment strategies, and driving employee engagement.
• Scaling operations with innovative solutions, including automation of key HR processes.
What Will You Gain from My Courses?
1. Practical Skills in HR and Leadership: Learn actionable strategies that can be applied immediately in your role.
2. Mastery of Operational Excellence: Discover frameworks to optimize workflows and improve efficiency.
3. Advanced Tools and Technology: Harness AI and automation tools to revolutionize your HR practices.
4. Global Expertise: Access insights from my experience across diverse industries and cultures.
Why Am I the Right Instructor for You?
My courses are built on real-world experience. I’ve faced the challenges you’re encountering, solved them, and refined strategies that work. Whether you’re just starting your HR career or are a seasoned professional, my programs will empower you to achieve your goals.
I don’t just teach concepts; I equip you with practical tools, templates, and step-by-step frameworks to ensure you can take immediate action.
Are you ready to unlock your full potential and become a leader in HR and operations? Enroll today and join thousands of professionals who have transformed their careers with my guidance. Let’s get started! ⇣