Finding quality employees is sometimes a difficult endeavor. When a key employee leaves, companies are often left with a void they have a hard time filling. However, their need for productivity may provide an incredible opportunity for you. An executive recruiting business is in growing demand as the competition for executives increase.

Headhunter
Basically an executive recruiting business is a headhunting service for large companies in search of a particular type of individual. You go in search of the right person for the job and once you find them you make a hefty finder’s fee.

Set-up
Starting an executive recruiting business is a fairly simple process. Considering you probably have most of the equipment available to you already, setting up basically requires putting all of your equipment in the same general area. What you need is a telephone, preferably with multiple lines, a computer with internet access, a fax machine, email and voicemail. For comfort and organization you will need a good-sized desk, filing cabinets, and a comfortable chair. Other than that, your people skills, professionalism, and efficiency will carry your business.

The great thing about an executive recruiting business is that you can utilize a home office. While this provides comfort and flexibility, it is also considerably less expensive than commercial office space. Another advantage is that you can write off a portion of your household expenses, like the mortgage and utilities, as a business expense. Considering the amount of money you will probably be bringing in, you will need all the tax breaks you can get.

Income
The income as an executive recruiter is based on the positions you fill. While it may take a few weeks or even months to find the right person for a particular job, you are richly rewarded with a percentage, typically 20% to 33%, of that individuals first year’s salary. When you are talking about an executive’s salary, you are dealing with a considerable amount of income. The yearly average of an executive recruiter’s income is just over $100,000 with little to no overhead.

Getting Started
Self-employment generally takes a lot of initiative and hard work to get started. The great thing about this particular field is that a large investment is not required. However, making the contacts necessary and getting the business going may prove to be difficult. You have to market yourself and your company, making businesses aware of your services and what you bring to the table. Having a positive and professional image is imperative, as is presenting a lot of confidence and ability. No one wants to do business with an unsure person, so you must let people know you are a very capable person and you follow through.

Why be self-employed
Different people pursue self-employment for different reasons. For some it is the freedom from punching a clock or maintaining a mundane schedule. For others, it is the income potential well beyond an hourly wage; yet for others it is simply the challenge of creating and maintaining a successful business venture. The simple truth of the matter is if you can become comfortable with the fluctuation in your income, self-employment can be a very fulfilling and pleasing way to earn a living. Typically, however, people that are accustomed to punching a clock have a difficult time adjusting.

Helping people
One of the most rewarding aspects of an executive recruiting business is that you are really helping people. The paycheck is nice, but you are assisting people in advancing themselves and their careers which will probably improve the rest of their lives. You can not always find that punching a clock.