Wu Si is a headhunter at Boyden Global Executive Search. For more info visit www.boyden.com, or call 6113 8258.

SH: So what does your job involve?
WS: Basically, I find candidates to fill executive roles. I go by recommendation and something called industry mapping; I keep my ear to the ground for information about who is making waves in certain companies. Boyden is different to a recruitment agency because we don't use the regular ways of finding people, such as online job websites like 51job, Zhaopin, or ChinaHR.

SH: Do you ever feel like a detective?
WS: Yeah, sometimes! Investigating the industry, finding related companies, calling up and trying to work out who would be right for the job I'm trying to fill. It can be a lot of fun. These days it's getting harder though, as people are more wary of cold-callers trying to poach their staff.

SH: So do you put on a persona when you cold call?
WS: I shouldn't reveal my secret! Actually, it's not very impressive. I usually pretend to be from an industry exhibition center. We can't pretend to be government officials or staff of real companies – it’s too risky.

SH: So how do you find the right person for an executive position?
WS: On a normal day I make about 20 calls, of which only half are useful. In a week, I might find three suitable people for one position. It takes time.

SH: Do you ever feel guilty stealing staff from other companies to sell to your clients?
WS: Not at all! Better people should be in better positions. And, best of all, I can call the company from whom I poached the candidate, and offer to help them fill their newly vacant position. It's all business. 

SH: What are the best and worst things about the job?
WS: It's great when a candidate is placed in the position of their dreams. They often treat me to dinner to say thanks! It's doubly good because I can grill them for details of their new company! It's good to build up loyalty with former candidates, as they'll come to me when they have more positions to fill. The worst thing about the job is the uncertainty. Companies sometimes change their mind about hiring someone at the last minute. And some candidates quit their new jobs after a couple of days – it’s such a waste of my time!

SH: Have you been affected by the current financial crisis?
WS: We're beginning to see a downturn, sure. We still receive a lot of CVs but we don't have as many clients asking for our help. But Shanghai is a labor intensive city. There are still jobs out there; it's just that, for now at least, bonuses will be lower. – Emma Chi