People are your #1 problem. Getting the right person for a high-profile role is not optional. Yet there are many common objections to traditional executive search. Some of the ones I hear often are:
“What if I spend all that money and the person just leaves?”
“It’s not worth the hassle.”
“How do I know I’m going to get someone who really fits?”
“Just managing the recruiter takes so much time.”
“I still have to interview all the candidates.”
“It costs too much.”
“It takes too long.”
“I’ve heard industry success rates hover around 65%. Not good odds.”
“You never know what you’re going to get.”
“Recruiters are slimey.”
“Do I really want this person I don’t know representing my business in the marketplace?”
“I never know who is actually working on my file. Is it the partner or an associate or is my recruiter himself contracting it out?”
“I’m the only one who really knows my company so I need to do this myself.”
“Even if I get a good recruiter, there are so many factors, I still might not hire the right person.”
It doesn’t have to be this way. Search does not have to be an antagonistic, tense experience. In the end, hiring the right person brings joy and profits.
Here’s what you can expect working with me:
A big dollop of honesty & integrity. The perception of executive search has been plagued by dicey practices by a vocal minority of recruiters. For this reason I go out of my way to be upfront, straightforward and overtly honest with everyone I come in contact with. Everyone. I also strictly adhere to the Association of Executive Search’s Code of Ethics.
A three year guarantee. All my searches come with the highest guarantee that I’ve found anywhere. If a hired candidate is fired due to performance issues within three years, I’ll re-do the search for free. No questions asked.
Reasonable fees. Typical fees for a retained executive search are 30%-33% of a candidate’s first year compensation. My fees range from 26%-30% based on the difficulty of the search. If I’m reasonably certain the search will take me less time to complete, why should you pay the same rate? I also never charge the shady “allocation” fees of 10% or more that show up on a typical search firm’s contract. (Beware of these!) I will charge you for expenses related to travel, if necessary, always agreed upon in advance.
You get ME. With the exception of the initial research, I never farm out my work. I’m on your search from day one and it’s my mission to complete it with you.
A 60-90 day target completion date. Some studies have shown average search completion speeds of 180 days. That’s way too long. I target 60-90 days for a search and have averaged around 80 days, enough to be thorough.
A history of results. Yes, industry completion rates are dismal. But as a small shop I’m only as good as my last search. If my success rate was 65%, I wouldn’t have a business! Around 95% of the searches I’ve worked on over the last 10 years have been completed with a successful hire. Period.
A manageable process on your end. I don’t burden you with extra work. In fact, that’s one reason I suspect you’re hiring me. Your responsibility will be final interviews, corralling interview schedules with your people, and participating in weekly half-hour check-ins to make sure we’re on target. That’s it.
Bandwidth. I only work with a few clients at a time so I can devote my full attention to your file. There is nothing worse than hiring a search firm that is maxed out. This is also means fewer “off-limits” conflicts since a consultant cannot hire from his/her current clients.
