Recruiting a new employee is a big decision that could have an impact on your business for years to come, positive or negative. Recruiting a new executive magnifies that impact a huge amount: they’re not merely responsible for a job within your business, they have an influence over the direction of the whole company. Recruiting astute executives with an ear to the ground and an insight beyond the level of the average employee is the key to long term success for any mid- to large sized business.
Finding the right executives is a skill you need to develop, then, to give your business the boost it deserves and put you ahead of the competition.
Finding the Right Recruiter
If you need to recruit skilled and experienced executives you’ll need to look beyond your standard recruiters. Look for an Executive Search firm that serves the sector you work in, and look to forge a lasting relationship with your contact there. They shouldn’t just be a voice on the end of a phoneline, but a collaborator who is as enthusiastic as you are to fill out your board with great executives.
They can not only provide candidates to you, but advise on new skills you should be trying to hire into your business to ensure you’re not left behind competitors. Recruiters get to see hiring trends before anyone else and are an untapped resource for advance insight.
Know Who You Need
Before you start soliciting for candidates make sure you can clearly define the role you’re hiring for. You need to strike a balance between knowing who you’re looking for, and being flexible enough to work with the candidates you find, not holding out for an ideal executive who only exists in your head.
Write a person specification that takes account not just of the role in isolation, but the direction of your business. If you need a senior accountant, think about what they’ll be overseeing in your business. If your plan relies on sustained growth, your accountant will need different skills and experience to one who specialises in carefully maintaining the status quo.
When you can take your carefully thought through person specification to your trusted contact at your chosen executive search firm, you’ll know all the elements are in place for a successful hire that will have a great influence on the future of your company.