Article Summary: 

Executive recruitment, also known as executive search or headhunting, is a specialised process focused on filling high level strategic positions. It identifies, engages and secures highly qualified and skilful candidates for roles like CEOs, CFOs, VPs and board members.

Executive recruitment is a specialised and targeted approach to finding suitable candidates for strategic, high-level organisational positions. To successfully recruit someone of this calibre and experience, an executive search service has to first identify candidates that are potentially strong contenders for a role.  As well as could be interested in making a strategic career move. Thereafter they need to approach them and assess their suitability. Then convince them of the job opportunity and to interview for it. This is why engaging a skilled and effective professional recruitment company that employs executive recruitment processes is often the most cost effective and successful approach.

What is Recruitment?

Standard recruitment processes are usually focused on general, entry and mid-level positions. They involve a broad search and usually look at only the active candidate pools when searching. To source candidates, traditional methods such as canvasing job boards, advertising online or reviewing an existing pool of CVs. A standard recruitment process is often an in-house process. However, increasingly, a company’s HR team will engage a recruitment firm and thereby outsource talent acquisition. This is not because the recruitment process is highly specialised but because in doing so the employment process is streamlined and expedited. Some recruitment agencies specialise within an industry, accordingly they would then, for example, offer an IT specialisation competence as opposed to a generalised recruitment company.

The Difference between Executive Recruitment and Recruitment

In contrast to a standard or traditional recruitment process, executive recruitment is a niche service. This is because filling high-level and specialised roles within an organisation requires an in-depth search service that can counteract unique recruitment challenges.

Executive Recruitment Process

An executive search service involves an in-depth investigation into the active and passive candidate pool and comprehensive hiring process. It’s more hands-on than a general recruitment process because of the level of position involved and impact of role in an organisation. Accordingly, top executive recruiters usually approach an executive recruitment process with a strategy that’s tailored to a specific client’s requirements.

Why Use an Executive Recruitment Agency

Partnering with an agency that offers a specialised executive recruitment/search service enables an organisation to tap into a broader and highly qualified talent pool. It also tends to streamline and expedite the recruitment process as it’s headed up by expert recruitment consultants. This can lead to significant time and cost savings for clients.

10 Reasons to use Skilled Executive Job Recruiters

1. Access to established industry-specific networks.
2. Exclusive active and passive candidate databases.
3. Targeted, customised talent search based on market analysis.
4. Extensive recruitment experience.
5. Industry specific knowledge.
6. Understanding of corporate competitors.
7. Discreet and confidential candidate search process.
8. Meticulous, deep-dive screening, assessments and background checks.
9. Counteroffer management during negotiations with potential incumbents.
10. Ongoing advisory services.

Another reason why companies use an executive recruiter is to support leadership succession planning processes. Usually, this is because there isn’t an option to promote someone internally and confidentiality is vital.

What does an Executive Recruiter Do?

The Key Recruitment Group offers a bespoke executive search and placement facilitation service. Through it the executive recruitment process is expertly tailored to meet the highly specialised leadership needs of clients. Thereby achieving the goal of matching a company’s unique skill requirements with top talent that also embodies the organisation’s culture. It is a direct search method and personal engagement process conducted by the Key Recruitment Group’s most skilled recruitment agents.

How to Find the Best Executive Recruiting Agency

Ahead of employing the services of an executive recruitment firm, it is important to do an assessment of their track record. Specifically looking at their experience in high-level recruitment and which executive search consultant will head up your recruitment process. Start by researching the agency’s credentials and reputation. Then assess the extent of their recruitment experience in your industry, their network and resources. After which, interview them to see if they are able to understand the specifications of the role you need to fill and request industry relevant references. Executive recruitment agencies fee structures vary. Most base them on a percentage of the role’s compensation package or alternatively annual salary. Therefore, ahead of making any final decisions, appraise their terms and conditions to make sure they align with your budget and expectations.

The Key Recruitment Group’s Executive Direct Search Consultancy offers

1. Strategic Engagement: In-depth meetings with clients to develop a detailed understanding of the role, it’s strategic impact and functional expertise requirements. As well as to outline a profile of an ideal candidate, their experience, cultural and organisational fit, education and professional credentials.
2. Deep Market Mapping: Comprehensive and strategic analysis of the talent landscape within a client’s industry or business sector to identify potential candidates.
3. Targeted Approach: Seeking out specific candidates from the identified talent pool. Notable is that both active job seekers as well as those not looking will be included in the search.
4. Personalised Prospect Engagement: Skilled and experienced consultants directly approach prospective candidates to assess their suitability and gage their potential interest in a career move.

Ultimately, at the Key Recruitment Group, we believe that the success of filling an executive position comes down to a hands-on tailored talent acquisition strategy. As well as experience in securing the best candidates. For us the best candidate has to demonstrate practical understanding of the role and executive leadership competence. They also need to have a track record of achievement and a solid set of personal values and uncompromising integrity. Contact the Key Recruitment Group to discuss how we can make your executive recruitment process a broader and better talent search that’s efficient and cost-effective.