Companies reach out to us regularly with help on roles. As Whispered isn’t a recruitment firm (we help executives) we don’t do searches for them. But we can help with:
Introductions to Whispered executives
Suggestions of other executives in our network
Guidance on how to structure a role for success
Introductions to recruiters specializing in their role / search
We’ve observed that few companies immediately engage a recruiter but these are the key moments where it makes sense.
When you start to think about a key executive role
This is an amazing time to engage a recruiter. This can help you avoid many of the mistakes described below. Additionally they can outreach / find passive candidates and keep the search confidential (see all the reasons not to post an executive role)
When you lack internal capacity for an executive search
During high growth times (i.e. 2020/2021) many companies were growing faster than their internal recruiting teams could keep up. This was coupled with a lack of talented candidates on the market, limiting the quality and quantity of inbound executive candidates.
When you want to fill a role fast
Recruiters (particularly the big firms) have deeper candidate databases where they maintain relationships with active and passive candidates. They can move quickly and aren't constrained by internal deadlines.
When you want to see a broader candidate pool
Internal recruiting teams are often stretched then. They are screening tons of inbound applications while at the same time trying to manage processes, close candidates and outbound at the same time. When companies have unique roles and want to broaden the talent pool, recruiters excel here.
“Recruiters are in the market every day, actively talking to candidates across their specialty and can give a good gauge on candidate sentiment and what they are seeing in the market currently. Sometimes our clients have a very clear picture of what they need, what they think they need, or what their VC has told them they need. More often than not, they are surprised by a candidate they would not have even thought to look at. That’s where recruiters can be especially valuable, riffing off of the original idea of the perfect candidate to find someone who may be better in the end.” Steve Leppert, Founder Collaborative Talent
When you are hiring a new executive role
If you are seeking a senior executive for a role you just created, it may be time to retain an executive search firm. When an executive search falls outside your area of expertise, an executive search firm can plug the knowledge gap with its domain know-how.
When you have tried and failed
Many companies try searching for executive candidates internally first. If they fail to find and close the right candidate, this is a common time to engage a top executive recruiter. Some of the reasons executive searches fail include:
Compensation: Companies want to pay lower than market. Recruiters can help with benchmarks
Over-restrictive criteria: Some companies only want candidates who have worked at X and Y companies. Recruiters can guide on other backgrounds.
Ineffective recruiting process: When companies don’t know the problem they are solving with a hire they often design obstacle courses to assess candidates. Recruiters can guide the requirements early and advise on the right interview approach.
Unique executive dynamics: Often there are unique aspects within your leadership that make it hard to hire. Recruiters can hold top executive candidates hands through the process.
Brand challenges: If your company has a bad reputation in the market it may be hard to source directly. Recruiters can reach out anonymously and engage candidates in a process. They can also speak positively about your company in a way that is difficult to do yourself.
Run out of candidates: If you have exhausted your network of connections for possible referrals, it is time to access another network. Executive search consultants are among the most well-networked people in the business.
Are you ready to engage a great recruiter?
Whispered maintains a directory of top recruiters by seniority and areas of expertise. Learn more about how Whispered can help your company find great talent.
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