By Christina Stroud

During my 20-plus years as an HR executive, I worked with numerous search firms to help fill positions. Many times, they were tough searches to fill and I needed my recruiting team to concentrate on other roles. Other times the search was confidential, and I relied on an outside party to manage the process. And of course, for senior and executive level roles I required a partner who had numerous years of industry experience so they could better understand exactly what I required. Whatever the reason, I spent a great deal of time preparing for the search by selecting the very best agency I could find. As with any project, the more planning and preparation you put in, the stronger, faster and more efficient the execution of the project. For many years, I chose to work with Westport Intl due to their internal talent, processes and repeated results. Now, I would like to share some insights with you as you make recruiting partner decisions.

There are a few key elements that your search partner must have. These should be non-negotiable for you during your selection process:

 

• Ensure they truly qualify the candidates. Not only should they be able to describe the candidate’s past career moves, but also their work style and drivers. They should be able to tell you the candidate’s story and explain why they are presenting them as a candidate.

 

• The agency recruiter should speak with the hiring manager before they begin any search. The hiring manager can make clear what is most important in the candidates, what are the “nice to haves” and what drivers he/she is looking for.

 

• The recruiter should be able describe your company to the candidates and not just read from a job description. They are your face to the candidates, and they must be able to describe the culture, the environment and your strategic plan for the future.

 

• The search firm should follow up with the candidate for at least six months after the placement to ensure everything is going smoothly. This helps your new employee transition smoothly and still feel connected and cared for.

 

Your search partner is an extension of your HR team, and ultimately, of your company. Choose wisely and you will add the best talent to your team.