So, you’ve decided to hire an executive search firm to help you with your talent acquisition challenges. That’s great! But you still have some work ahead of you; choosing the right firm for your needs is very important. Your time, budget, and company reputation all rely on you making the right choice, and that takes a bit of groundwork. We suggest asking any potential search firm 10 questions before you decide to work with them. Here are the first five:
1. Do you specialize in a functional or industry-specific area or are you a generalist?
This can give you a sense of whether the search firm has a depth of experience with the type of role you are looking to fill.
2. Could you describe your search process?
The search firm should have a specific plan to target the best candidates and be able to explain it in detail.
3. What screening techniques do you use when selecting candidates for presentation?
The answer to this should definitely be more than “a phone call”. It takes multiple conversations, background research, and detailed documentation to be confident in presenting a candidate.
4. What’s the interview process?
Beyond initial screening, this establishes the candidates’ career aspirations, salary expectations, along with suitability to the role.
5. What evidence can you show to demonstrate your level of success in this sector?
Ask the consultant about searches they have previously worked on to establish their ability to understand the role, and recruit effectively.