How Do You Choose a Recruiter?
- Identify potential firms through groups such as the Young Presidents' Organization. For retainer firms in your area, check with the Association of Executive Search Consultants (www.aesc.org)
- Draw up explicit criteria for the job you want filled.
- Look for firms specializing in the job category you're filling. Obtain references.
- Find out if the firm has worked in your industry, and for how long.
- How many similar positions have they recruited for, and what were those candidates' retention rates?
- How long did it take the firm to identify the talent that was placed?
- How many potential candidates is the recruiter blocked from touching because of the off-limits rule (which prohibits reputable headhunters from recruiting people they've placed, for up to two years).
- How will the recruiter set about understanding your company's culture and skill requirements?
- What steps will the recruiter take to keep your search a priority?
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This article was originally published in the October 11, 1999 print edition of Business Week's frontier. To subscribe, please see our subscription policy.
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