Executive search is often perceived as the epitome of niche, expensive and out-of-touch services - reserved for global organisations with top-class budgets.

While successful multi-national organisations can certainly benefit from search services, we have seen the positive impact of search services on organisations both at the global and local scale.

For start-up organisations, new hires will always be part of the foundation. Therefore, it is critical that such individuals are of the highest possible standard and best fit. These candidates will unequivocally impact the organisation's future and help drive organisational growth.  

Engaging an executive search firm is one of the few ways in which you can be sure you are gaining the best possible candidate from both the passive and active talent market.

We have gathered some of the key reasons why engaging an executive search firm as a start-up or small business is key to organisational success:

1.    Reduces overhead costs.

The initial cost of executive search requires a retained commitment which can often be perceived as expensive. However - job advertising, interviewing, shortlisting, and other procedures typically utilised throughout the hiring process are expensive. When you engage an executive search agency, these costs are absolved.

2.    Enhanced brand advocacy.

The search consultant appointed to your mandate will study your organisation’s EVP and help unlock the key attraction points to highlight in the initial reach out. As market knowledge experts, these consultants know what attracts top-level candidates within your industry.

3.    Speeds up the search process.

If you are approaching a talented candidate in the market, you can almost be guaranteed that your competitors are also interested. The window of time to win that candidate is extremely tight. When you have many other key organisational tasks to complete, researching the market for relevant talent is the tough part. Search firms remove your need to deliver explorative research by offering this to you directly.

4.    You get better quality hires.

Executive search experts are exactly that – experts. If you’re running a small organisation, you may not have prior hiring experience. You may not have the skills necessary to identify the soft skills and personality traits that make for the perfect hire. Even multi-national organisations with proven talent teams outsource to executive search agencies due to the level of quality guarantee provided.

5.    Protects your organisation’s image.

Too often, the candidate you would like to target is already employed at a competitor organisation within the same industry. Instead of damaging potential relationships with other businesses, allowing a third independent party to target the top talent in the industry will allow you to get the best candidates without stepping on the toes of your competitors.  

6.    The placement is guaranteed.

At North Search, we offer a 100% mandate completion rate – unlike contingent or standard recruitment agencies, we do not stop until the position is suitably filled.

7.    The candidate’s experience will be improved.

At North Search, we develop extremely detailed candidate packs to present to anyone who enters the recruitment process. This is developed by receiving the position description from the client and researching the organisation in detail. We review this with the client prior to engaging the market. Utilising an extensive tech stack, our sourcing team have access to contact details for candidates who may otherwise be unreachable. The multi-faceted reach-out process we offer is unique to our organisation and unlikely to be mirrored by internal talent teams. This process is partnered with the determination that we will not rest until every potential candidate in the market is tapped up for the position in question.

8.    Helps you to remain agile.

Small organisations must be prepared to move quickly and remain agile in the face of funding and market changes. Engaging a search agency to conduct market research allows you to always stay one step ahead of competitors.

9.    Your consultant is a market expert.

Searching, knowing where to search, understanding who to target, how to target them, what to present to candidates, how to organise interviews, what software to use etc., requires a level of skill unavailable to those outside the skill standard of an executive recruiter and search firm.

Contingent recruitment and internal hiring are very attractive for start-ups. The capability to pay-upon-placement or forfeit external collaboration has a short-term win factor. Specifically for small organisations with limited budgets. However, the cost of the wrong placement will far outweigh the cost associated with committing to an executive search partner. Plus, placing the wrong-fit candidate could be detrimental in the long term.

Investing in the people who will propel the future of your organisation is essential. If you are interested to learn more about how North Search can support you, get in touch.