Executive Search · Headhunter · Recruiter · Germany

The History of Headhunting

We asked an Artificial Intelligence to give us a short overview of the most important stages in the history of Headhunting:

The history of headhunting (also known as personnel consulting or executive search) is exciting and goes back further than many people think - from ancient armies to the modern economy.

Ancient Origins (Military Headhunting)

• The term "headhunting" has its origins not in human resources, but in martial and ritual practices. Some indigenous peoples, e.g. in South East Asia or South America, practiced the symbolic collection of the heads of defeated enemies. This had religious, political or cultural meanings, e.g. to honor warriors or to intimidate opponents.
• Of course, this has nothing to do with today's headhunting - but the term comes metaphorically from this period.

Early 20th Century

• With industrialization and the rise of large companies, it became increasingly important to find qualified management personnel.
• In the 1920s and 1930s, some entrepreneurs in the USA began to poach top executives from rival companies - discreetly, through personal networks.

After the Second World War

• In the 1940s and 1950s, the executive search industry emerged in the USA, led by companies such as:
  Spencer Stuart (1956).
  Egon Zehnder (1964) in Switzerland.
  Heidrick & Struggles (1953).
• These firms professionalized headhunting: systematic search, discreet approach, confidential processes.
• The focus was on top management and specialized key positions.

Globalization and Digitalization (1980s to present)

• From the 1980s, the industry grew worldwide - also due to globalization and new markets.
• In the 1990s and 2000s, the internet revolutionized the industry: databases, email and LinkedIn made access to talent more efficient.
• Today there are:
  Classic headhunting (managers).
  Tech headhunting (IT and digital professions).
  Interim headhunting (temporary managers).

Headhunting Today

• Modern headhunters work with algorithms, artificial intelligence and tools such as Xing, LinkedIn Recruiter, GitHub profiles, etc.
• At the same time, employer branding is playing a greater role - talents choose companies, not just the other way around.

Source (2025): ChatGPT - History of Headhunting