Meeting with headhunters at this time of the year is a double-edged sword – on one hand being seen in the company of a sharp-suited, smooth-talking ‘search consultant’ suggests you’re a wanted man (or woman) who’s liable to go elsewhere if your bonus isn’t huge come payday.

On the other hand, being seen with said person might suggest you’re thinking of going elsewhere anyway and it won’t be worth paying you in the first place.

One banker turned headhunter says there’s no need to be scared: “Any line manager should be pleased that individuals are talking to headhunters about what’s happening in the market. I’d say absolutely go and find out what your market worth is and what’s going on in the competition.”

Another describes chatting up headhunters in public as a “ballsy game” to play. “It can suggest you’re commercially savvy and finding out what’s happening in the market,” he adds. “But people of a nervous disposition tend to get a bit worried.”

Different meeting venues offer different risk/reward ratios. If you definitely want to be seen regardless of the consequences, Shaun Springer, chief exec of search firm Napier Scott, advises you to head to the likes of the Royal Exchange or 1 Lombard, both of which are crawling with headhunting types.

If you don’t particularly want to publicise the meeting, but aren’t entirely averse to being spotted by your own line management, he advises you to head to your local coffee house.

And if you want to be totally discreet? Go to the headhunter’s own offices after dark.