So you’ve decided you want to hire through an executive headhunter. Good decision! Working with a headhunter takes considerable stress off your shoulders, putting the responsibility of filling senior executive positions in the hands of professionals.
However, with so many executive headhunters out there, how do you know which company to work with? It’s a legitimate concern and one that many companies are forced to deal with. After all, the quality of your candidates will likely come down to the professional expertise of the headhunting company.
Fortunately, we’ve put together a few tips and tricks for finding the best executive headhunters. Continue reading to discover what sets a top headhunting firm above the rest.
Communication
The process of consulting a headhunter varies depending on the company you are working with. One team might request a face-to-face meeting to kick-start the relationship. Another might prefer to conduct all correspondence over email.
Regardless of the situation, communication skills are incredibly important. The best executive headhunters will communicate openly with you, advising you of any significant challenges they are facing whilst also being attentive to your concerns. If you feel like you’re not being heard or don’t have the opportunity to share your thoughts and knowledge, it’s best to find another team.
Networking
Successful headhunting really comes down to an individual’s ability to network. Your headhunter needs to have strong connections with industry stakeholders if they are to source the best talent possible.
This means they should conduct themselves in a professional and personal manner. Networking as a headhunter involves taking action whilst also acting with discretion and being respectful of all stakeholders.
Organisation
The reality is, a headhunting team is likely to be working with several clients at once. However, the best executive headhunters will work at such a level of organisation that it will seem like you are their one and only priority.
If your headhunter takes too long to respond to messages or appears unable to get on top of their workload, it could be time to look for a new one.
Industry knowledge
Some headhunters will be industry specific whilst others have experience working across a number of different sectors. It doesn’t particularly matter which type you choose, providing that you are confident in their level of knowledge about the challenges and opportunities that your business is currently facing.
In-depth industry knowledge is an important trait for all headhunters. When meeting with your headhunter for the first time, ask about their experience sourcing candidates in your industry and what they see as being the most important skills and attributes for someone in the vacant role.
Culture-oriented
Of course, finding the right candidate is about more than their level of experience or career achievements. In searching for a senior executive, you are wanting to find someone who adds value to your company culture. Your ideal candidate should espouse company values and be a positive, professional presence in the workplace.
With that in mind, the best executive headhunters are those that understand what you are looking for in a candidate on a personal level. They will take the time to learn more about your company culture and source candidates that will make a welcome addition to your team.
It might take time to find the right headhunter, but it’s certainly worth the effort. Think of your headhunter as a long-term business partner, someone you can rely on to fill important executive vacancies in your company for years to come. Isn’t that worth investing in?
