“Secrets” of Executive Search
What’s the “secret” to running a successful Executive Search campaign? I get asked this question, or something similar, every time I go out and meet with a client to discuss a specific recruitment assignment that they might have.
Often people want to know what is our “Unique Selling Point” or “USP”, and I can understand their reason for asking, but despite running a successful Search business for almost 10 years now, I’ve only really come up with a good answer in the last couple of years. I think the reason it took me so long to define this USP was because it was so darned obvious that it was staring me in the face.
You see, I believe the “Secret” lies in the PROCESS, and in the way we get to know you and understand your needs.
The process starts in two places simultaneously. As a provider of Executive Search we take great pride in understanding the needs and aspirations of both our EMPLOYER CLIENTS and JOB SEEKER CLIENTS.
Only by truly understanding the needs of both these parties can we make a good match.
To a large degree this comes down to understanding the CULTURE of the business we are representing, as well as the CULTURE, Competencies and personality of the individuals that we are presenting to the employers we are working with.
In my opinion get this MATCHING bit right and the rest of the jigsaw comes together beautifully.
Sure, in 2015 you need to understand the various new MEDIA channels to access the best talent. That’s why we invest so heavily in training our staff on the use of Social Media. We are all experts with Linked In, Twitter and Facebook, and can incorporate engagement strategies alongside paid advertising to generate enquiries relevant to our search.
But what we appreciate and understand better than most is that Social Media is just another MEDIA channel. It’s just a tool to reach an audience in the same way that Job Boards, Newspaper / Trade Press adverts or CV databases are.
The real secret to successful local Executive Search is the same as it has always been. It’s about knowing your MARKET. Forming a deep understanding of one another, and working together in PARTNERSHIP towards the same goal. When you can demonstrate the ability to do this repeatedly, by replicating a proven process, then the magic can really happen.
And that’s it. That’s our “secret”, or our USP. It’s the traditional values that we hold dear, about getting to know you and your business and working in close partnership towards the same goal.
Often this process starts well before you actually need to find a new team member. If we can understand your culture in advance of a time when you need our services then things can move more quickly and effectively from that point on. It’s for that reason I like to get out from behind my desk and meet as many people as possible. It’s who I am, and what I want my business to stand for, real people working closely in partnership with our clients adding exceptional value to your business.
If you’d like a chat about anything then let me know how we can help.