Don’t underestimate the importance of exclusivity and confidentiality to candidates. In a tight knit market/sector, it is imperative a prospective hire feels safe within the interviewing process. Read More »

  What should a company consider when choosing between a retained search firm and a contingency firm? Why should a company pay a portion of a fee ahead of time when there are plenty of agencies willing to take the risk of a search on for free? Having transitioned to retained search over the past few years, I often find the first line of resistance is to do with cost. Cost is a component for consideration in any search process, but the differential is the value. When you put a contingency agency to work on a search, it’s wait and hope with no commitment or skin in the game on either side. Often there will be an initial flurry of … Read More »

Lately I’ve been running into a lot of roles that have been under retainers with search firms whose recognizable names draw surprise when you hear a C level role remains open and unfilled for six months or more. Now why is this, you wonder. How can any firm that charges premium fees and staggering retainers, with deep resources and national connections not fulfill a straightforward C level role in a small to mid cap market in Southern California? Maybe because bigger isn’t always better. And a big name isn’t always a winner. Ultimately a recruiter, any recruiter from large firm or small, retained or contingency has to respect the fiduciary responsibility to the client. When a top tier firm appears … Read More »

  After a tedious search, you’ve found your number one candidate. He’s experienced in your space, he fits your culture, his references rock. There’s just a few hitches in the way. Your two biggest competitors want him too. One’s already made an offer and the other is about to (and probably holding out till you make your move). His current employer, recently acquired, also has a place for him in the new company. Oh – and he doesn’t know what the severance agreement is, but that should be forthcoming in a few weeks time. What’s an employer to do? This is a very real and often probable scenario in a competitive employment market for in demand candidates. Interestingly, the outcome … Read More »

I love my job! How many people can actually say this after three decades in the same profession? My last couple of placements were particularly rewarding. And not because of the fee attached (icing on the cake, actually). The reasons they were so satisfying got me to thinking back on a career spanning thirty years (painful to admit numbers, but they are what they are). How is it after countless placements, endless assignments and exposure to most every job close scenario, with a few surprises attached, that I can still take personal satisfaction with most every placement I make? Because, ultimately, it’s not about the numbers. It’s about the people and relationships. The longer I am in this profession the more … Read More »