[K-Women Talk]Questions Raised About Headhunters by "My Perfect Secretary"

Reflecting the Growing Interest in Careers and Job Mobility
Covering Diverse Professions and Facilitating Career Transitions
The Anticipated Role of Headhunters in Discovering Key Talent in the Age of AI

The recently concluded popular drama "My Perfect Secretary" garnered much attention as a series centered around headhunters. While the charming performance of actress Han Ji-min certainly captivated viewers, the very choice of headhunting as the drama's theme reflects the growing interest in "career" and "job mobility" amid an uncertain employment market.

Along with the drama's popularity, many social media posts highlighted the differences between the headhunters portrayed on screen and those in real life. As a current headhunter myself, I have frequently been asked by clients and candidates alike, "How different is actual headhunting from what the drama shows?" So, what questions do the general public have about headhunters?

First, how do headhunters discover talent? In the past, industry connections were the main route. Later, simple job seeker platforms played that role, and now in the digital age, platforms like LinkedIn and Remember, along with internal databases and online searches, serve as the primary methods for talent sourcing. In other words, since a candidate's digital footprint has become the key channel for talent discovery, managing one's personal career in the digital environment has become crucial.

How diverse are the occupations handled by headhunters? Just like in the drama, specialized professions such as chefs are often requested. I have experience recruiting for a wide range of roles, from Michelin-starred chefs to corporate security team leaders. On one occasion, to find a flagship restaurant chef for a liquor company, I dined at similar restaurants to study the ideal candidate profile.

Can headhunters help with career transitions? The answer is "yes." Of course, companies mainly seek candidates with direct experience who can deliver immediate results. However, the role of a veteran headhunter is to interpret corporate needs and identify candidates' talents and potential across industries and job functions, connecting them accordingly. When I transitioned from an operations manager at a foreign financial firm to a recruiting manager at a global consulting company, I received help from an experienced headhunter.

Finally, among many headhunters, how should one choose the right one? I believe the most important criterion is trustworthiness. Just as the drama contrasts CEO Kang Ji-yoon with the "villain" headhunter, there are significant differences in approach and ethics in reality as well. A true headhunter adheres to transparency and honesty in providing information to both candidates and companies. They prioritize building long-term trust over short-term achievements.

Despite advances in AI and automation technologies, the headhunting market is expected to grow. Paradoxically, as technology replaces manpower, the value of key talent increases, making the role of headhunters who find them even more important.

I consider headhunters to be "Treasure Hunters" because they find gem-like talent for companies. Of course, success and failure coexist in the process, but the fulfillment of creating meaningful career turning points not only for companies but also for candidates is incomparable.

For those curious about industry changes, insightful about people, and equipped with resilience and multitasking abilities, headhunting is an attractive profession. I look forward to seeing more headhunters like Kang Ji-yoon in the drama?those who possess sincerity and expertise.

Moon Seon-kyung, Executive Director at Unico Search