An employment recruiter, or headhunter, can help expand your job search—particularly if you work in an industry where positions are not often advertised or in a profession that tends to use search firms to fill open positions.

Working with a recruiter also can give you an advantage because recruiters sometimes have more access to contacts within your field. Recruiters can help you market yourself more effectively and increase your exposure to a larger number of potential employers. Since headhunters spend the bulk of their work hours looking for open positions, they often are able to locate more opportunities than you are able to on your own. Recruiters can even help negotiate pay and benefits packages on your behalf with potential employers.

To find a recruiter, look for recommendations from business colleagues, professional organizations associated with your field, and other contacts. You can search online Web sites like Find a Recruiter.com and SearchFirm.com to locate a recruiter to help you in your job search. Recruiters Network and the Recruiters Directory can be valuable resources as well.