- Catalyst Search Inc.

You need help. Where do you start in choosing a search firm to work with on that immediate need? Ask yourself a few questions:

• Does this firm know my industry or will I have to explain basic terminology?
• Do they understand the type of role I am recruiting for, and why job title isn't a sufficient descriptor?
• Do they have the experience or network of contacts to bring me what I need?
• Are the concerned about long term fit or are they just looking for a quick placement?
• What level of service do they provide?
• Can I trust them to conduct honest, in-depth references?
• Will their manner, knowledge and experience reflect positively on my Company?

In a marketplace with a variety of search providers it can be difficult to choose the provider who best meets your needs. It may be tempting to go with the service that is the least expensive in dollars, or to distribute the search to a number of providers but both have inherent pitfalls.

Making your decision based on cost is often more expensive to your organization in the long run. Think about cost in terms of what a bad hire costs an organization in morale, turnover and termination costs. Weigh that against the value of a great hire who is likely to add value beyond simply getting the job done.

Working with a number of firms can present challenges. Within the broad group you have contacted, you are likely to have a few who act more like a resume referral service and waste your time with candidates who are not a fit, are not qualified or are not sincerely interested. You lose control of the process and make it more difficult for the strong providers in the field to manage your message and produce optimal results. You may also risk the candidate's goodwill if late in the process when they feel things are going well, they receive a phone call that the search is ongoing and you are still looking for candidates.

Finding the right firm to partner with is essential because the quality of applicants you receive through their network is often a direct correlation to their experience and expertise in the field. Additionally, potential candidates will form perceptions of your environment through the quality, knowledge and service of the firm you choose to work with. A great recruiter is a networker, organizer, negotiator, sales professional and most importantly an ambassador for your company.

At the heart of it, you’re choosing to use a search firm because you need a solution that saves you time and money while granting you access to a hidden pool of exceptionally talented candidates.

A great recruiter offers a few unique attributes that contribute to making your search a great deal easier.

Specialized recruiters are more likely to understand your business, know the talent pool and be able to quickly and effectively source the best possible choices for you. Your results will be better and faster which is the real reason you called a search firm. A consultant who specializes in your market is more likely to have background information and stronger relationships with potential candidates. Their knowledge of your market can also be helpful in developing a compensation plan; a skilled recruiter will have some ideas about creative compensation and know what incentives their candidates are likely to value.

Choose the firm based on the consultant who will perform the work. Ideally the same person who interacts with the client company is also the one who contacts the potential candidates and manages the process. A great search consultant is responsible for the process from start to finish and will partner with you to achieve results you wouldn’t have thought possible.

Partnering with a skilled, knowledgeable search consultant can save you time, produce better results and provide great value.