1. How common is my desired candidate profile in today’s market?
Market standards change all the time. Recruitment consultants – good ones – are constantly in contact with the best professionals in the market. As a result, they can help you gain insight into exactly how common or rare the profile you are looking for will be to find, and help you tweak your requirements where necessary.
For example, our recent experience has taught us that hiring managers often demand for candidates to have experience with the sector. However, we have found that related sectors also lend themselves very well to transferable knowledge and skills. Candidates with background in related sectors or channels can fill your roll just as well. Your executive search consultant can help you estimate how much sector specific knowledge is necessary to help you fill the role. This will help you work look more broadly and efficiently without needlessly narrowing the search.
2. What type of profile is most desirable for the role I’m trying to fill?
Sometimes, clients ask for a candidate whose current job is essentially the same role as the one they’re currently recruiting for – just at a different company. While a logical idea, this is not necessarily always the best profile for the role. We have found that these types of candidates have lower offer acceptance rates, as switching roles lacks a significant upswing for their career trajectory.
To prevent a low offer acceptance rate, your consulting partner can help you think outside the box to tweak and redefine your ideal candidate profile.
3. What about my company/role is most attractive to potential candidates?
It is important to realize that executive search is a two-way street: you are not only interviewing the candidate, the candidate is also interviewing you. In today’s competitive market especially, it is crucial to be aware of your unique strengths as a company. Be sure to bring these strengths to the forefront during the interviewing process.
Your executive search partner can help you take the helicopter view of your own company and how you stand out from the competition in order to craft an effective pitch for the role you’re looking to fill.
