Talent Acquisition: Executive Search Firms are Experts

by Hiring Solutions/Varnum Consulting, LLC

Your Goal:  Hire Top Talent
Attracting, retaining and managing human capital is the key to surviving in the new, global, highly competitive economy.  Human Resource Managers should be skilled in attracting top talent and have policies and procedures in place to retain and develop this talent for future challenges and contributions to the organization.

When attracting top talent, think big.  Define the position requirements by indicating your organization's vision for the future as defined in your strategic plan.  If no strategic plan exists, create one that will attract high level candidates who will be challenged and motivated to move your organization to the next level.  This may require thinking differently or changing your beliefs, culture or practices. 

Why Seek Outside Assistance?
If your organization does not employ a person specializing in attracting top talent, an Executive Search firm should be hired.  A search firm often brings integrity to the process by considering a variety of talent and will provide an outside look at both the market and candidates that may fit your set of organizational requirements.  They help define the position, prepare the job description, define your culture, and determine the qualifications.  Their unique networking ability will help attract non-traditional candidates.  Oftentimes, organizations aren't sure what they are looking for or do not think outside the previous parameters or skill set of the previous incumbent.  You think you know what you want, but you aren't sure. 

Finding top talent is a time consuming, detailed process that requires organization, follow-up, and tenacity.  Do you have the time necessary to conduct this process?  Do you have the networking ability to search in non-traditional, unique places?  Are you able to make contacts in industry-alike organizations without the appearance of pirating the competition?

Executive Search Firms as "Talent Scouts"
Executive Search Firms are excellent "talent scouts" for organizations.  They concentrate on needs and requirements and have a data base of highly qualified candidates.  They thoroughly screen each candidate and administer assessments that determine both the cultural and personality match.   They conduct extensive background checks to ensure you are getting a person who accurately represents who they are and their background.   This eliminates interviewing unqualified candidates and prevents the embarrassment of employing a candidate with falsified credentials.  Search firms encounter this situation in most every search in one form or another.  Falsified degrees and falsified backgrounds are on the increase so protecting your organization in this area is vital when considering candidates you have no direct knowledge or experience with.

Evaluating Search Firms
When selecting a search firm, concentrate on the process they employ when finding candidates.  Do they start every search anew or do they exclusively pull from a data base of candidates?  Many firms have a well worn list of possible candidates they force fit into organizations.  Many firms practice cronyism or place previous candidates in order to build their client base.  Some are just lazy; they post the position on the internet and screen the candidates who apply.  Remember that many top candidates are not actively looking and need to be enticed or recruited to the position.  The search firm hired should provide statistics on what sources were used and where candidates were recruited from.

Finally, be sure to meet the lead consultant face-to face so you know who is advocating on your behalf.  Do they portray your organizational image and do they have the ability to attract top talent?  Do they have the interpersonal skills necessary to sell candidates on your opportunity? Will they be enthusiastic and tenacious in their quest to find the best in the business for your organization?

If the above questions are answered in the negative, continue looking for a search firm that will act on your behalf and function as a true "talent scout."