headhunter

[hed-huhn-ter]

noun

1. a person who engages in headhunting.

2. a personnel recruiter for a corporation or executive recruitment agency.

3. an executive recruitment agency.

Word History and Origins

Origin of headhunter¹

First recorded in 1850–55; head + hunter

Example Sentences

The alert said individuals working on behalf of the Chinese Ministry of State Security were posing as "headhunters" on platforms like LinkedIn and targeting people working in British politics to obtain insider information.

Read more on BBC

It says it has identified two LinkedIn profiles used by Chinese security services to act as "civilian recruitment headhunters", targeting individuals working in British politics to solicit "insider insights".

Read more on BBC

Corporate headhunter firm Heidrick & Struggles has approached multiple candidates in its search for a new CEO, including some from outside the theme-park industry, according to industry insiders.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Other headhunters who scout for Indian talent from US universities corroborate this change in sentiment.

Read more on BBC

“Is a terrorist organization going to send their headhunter to an American comedy club?”

Read more on Los Angeles Times

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