The year 2023 promises many challenges ahead for companies hoping to attract new talent to critical executive leadership roles. In addition to the limited pool of qualified candidates available right now, the number of open roles for C-suite positions has also grown. That means there are more open executive jobs than there are candidates to fill them — and more companies competing for the same candidates. How can a company gain the lead in the executive search race? They can enlist the help of an executive recruiter.
An executive recruiter has extensive experience in the dynamics that come with finding, courting, and hiring top talent. Here are three unique areas in which an executive search firm can help:
Executive Recruiting is a Competition
The hiring market is in turmoil right now and executive recruiting is not immune to the phenomenon. In fact, recruiting for C-suite positions is even more competitive than a general role, particularly for in-demand positions like finance. The Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that about 300,000 executive job postings are shared each year, a number that is expected to remain steady well into the next decade. If your company wants to attract and attain top talent for your executive roles, you will need to actively market your company to prospective recruits to sell them on why they should choose you over all of the other offers out there. And make no mistake, there are absolutely other offers that your dream candidates will be entertaining.
How an executive search partner can help:
An executive recruiter can be a vital partner in selling the benefits of your company to job-hunting executives. A qualified recruiter has the experience to showcase to both parties why the match is ideal. They have their finger on the pulse of the market and they will be able to showcase the traits that set you apart from your competition and appeal to the needs of your desired candidate. They can also consult on negotiations for an offer letter and advise your company if competitors are outperforming you when it comes to attaining talent.
Your Hiring Process Matters
Your hiring process tells candidates a story about your company. Is your strategy for hiring representing the core tenets of your organization? When recruiting at the executive level, your candidates have high expectations for the efficiency and professionalism of the process. It is your first impression and critical that you get it right. If any part of your recruiting strategy is clunky, it won’t matter how impressive and streamlined your operations are. Your candidate only knows what they experience directly and they can’t really risk taking your word that every other process except hiring is smooth.
How an executive search partner can help:
Partnering with a recruiter puts an expert in charge of coordinating your hiring efforts. One of the key reasons that many companies will hire a recruiter is that the team simply does not have time to turn a task into a job. Everyone already has their role and piling recruiting onto the plate almost always translates into missed opportunities or costly errors. An executive recruiter will shepherd the process forward and keep the lines of communication open to ensure your candidates feel respected and valued as potential future employees. That really does matter, no matter where an employee sits in the company hierarchy.
Candidates Still Need Scrutiny
There’s a lot here about how an executive search partner can help you develop a solid strategy for attracting top talent. However, we can’t neglect the importance of attaining the right person for the job. That is, after all, the point of the search. In such a competitive market, it can be tempting to let desperation drive decision-making and hire the first person that can start right away. That is not the right move for retention and stability. The disruption that occurs during an executive transition is difficult enough. Making the wrong decision can only increase the challenges and extend the time it will take to achieve your goals.
How an executive search partner can help:
An executive search partner has, quite literally, a vested interest in finding the right person for the role. Their reputation depends on solid placements, which means they invest a great deal of effort in vetting any candidate they recommend. Executive recruiters have the skillset — and the network — to cultivate a list of talented applicants with tangible evidence of their skills and talents. They know the questions to ask to discern candidate capabilities, not to mention the importance of navigating personality dynamics and corporate culture.