How to Identify a Great Search FirmQ & A
Q: Are people sometimes cautious of ‘headhunters’? A. Yes. However industry has evolved over last decade and steadily gained more respect. Now recruiters go to same lengths that other professionals do to be certified by obtaining a Certified Personnel Consultant (CPC) designation.
Q: Is it appropriate to approach a professional recruiter or should recruiter pursue job seeker? A: It is very common for both to occur. Our search firm, FGP International (Find Great People) has been building its own proprietary database of candidates and contacts for nearly 22 years. This has been done by active contact on our part as well as by referrals from those who respect our approach. If you contact a firm directly you need to do your homework before simply sending a resume. We are not “all alike”.
Q: Which is best? Contingency or Retained? A: Both types have merit. A Retained search firm is paid in advance and will typically be dealing with Executive and Senior level officials. Searches where base salary start in mid 100k area and exceed 300k. Contingency firms will work mostly on searches below those salary levels. Contingency firms are routinely paid only if person they present is hired by company. Each have their place.
Q: Say you are a candidate for a position. What is next step after this? A: After a recruiter presents your background to a potential employer, he or she should contact you frequently to keep you aware of where you are in interview process. Routine cooperation and feedback is expected from company, and individual seeking a position. Once client company desires to proceed with an interview recruiter would facilitate interview process.
Q: How do you know a search firm is right for you? A: Investigate firm to see if it is specialized in any industries or any particular niches. It is always best to contact search firm that coincides with your area of professional interest. Once you begin working with a search firm, ask yourself these questions. How cooperative is search firm with you? Will they give you feedback, and will they give it to you in a timely manner? Make a phone call first before sending a resume. Ask them to walk you through their standard approach of placement process.