Understanding the company
First, we obtain detailed knowledge of your organisation and culture. We make sure we understand your current organizational priorities and business climate as well as the competitive environment.
Assignment specification
We work closely with you to develop a profile of your ideal senior executive: this profile includes not only a detailed position description but also an analysis of the personal characteristics and attributes necessary for success in your corporate environment. We have extensive discussions with the different stakeholders for the project, to make sure we get all the relevant information both on job content and company culture. We document all of this information in a detailed proposal – specification document, which accurately captures the details of both the position and the candidate sought.
Identification
Once we’ve agreed on the position requirements, we begin the search process by identifying appropriate industries and functions where we expect to locate individuals with the required skills and experience. Our sourcing methods include direct recruiting, database consultation, networking, and, occasionally career advertising. Interested candidates are evaluated and assessed for overall appropriateness and fit. We contact around 50 sources and potential candidates for each position. Our search goes through organizations globally in the target sectors and we provide clients with a list of organizations we contacted as part of our regular reporting schedule.
Progress meetings
In a search process, it is essential to work closely with the client at every stage of the assignment. Therefore, in addition to keeping our client informed of major developments, we schedule a progress meeting at which we discuss the profiles of potential candidates that we have identified. This enables the research strategy to remain focused and ensures us that we are continuing the search in the right direction.
Selection progress
Each candidate is personally interviewed to appraise how he or she matches the approved profile. In this phase, we analyse in depth the candidate’s experience, personality and professional goals for the future and assess whether there is a match with your organization and the expectations for the position.
Presentation of candidates
We present a confidential report for each of the final candidates. Once we identify a short list of the top three to five candidates, we provide you with a career history and a detailed interview assessment on each person. Each finalist we present will be, in our opinion, fully capable of carrying out the position’s responsibilities in a superior manner. Initially meetings between client and candidates can take place either at the client’s site or we can arrange an external venue that is discrete and assures adequate protection of our candidates, until a final mutual decision is agreed.
Reference checking
Upon request, we conduct a comprehensive reference check on the final candidate before an offer is made. When possible, we consult three or more references : subordinates, superiors and peers.
Final negotiations
Once the final candidate has been selected, we are available to assist in negotiations and the final offer – our impartial third-party status allows us to facilitate the negotiation process in this sometimes sensitive area.
Integration
We keep regular contact with the client and the successful candidate to ensure the transition process goes smoothly and that you are completely satisfied with the new hire. Once the placement is finalized, we will continually be available to support both parties in a successful integration in the organization.
