Avoid Recruiters: Work With an Executive Search Firm

For those not too familiar with the industry, it might seem like a recruiter and an executive search firm perform one and the same job. The reality is quite different. Understanding which type of team to call on is particularly important when you are hiring for senior level positions that tend to come with extensive responsibilities.

Put simply, a team that provides executive search in Melbourne should be your first call when it comes time to hire a C-suite or senior position. While recruiters have many admirable skills, they are not always qualified or experienced enough to be trusted with this task.

Continue reading to learn a little more about the difference between a recruiter and someone who provides executive search, as well as what to look for when hiring an executive search team.

What is a recruiter? A recruiter is a hiring expert who is often called on to help fill junior and low-level positions. You might be wondering why a company would need help screening candidates for these types of roles.

Well, often it simply comes down to time. Shifting through resumes, conducting interviews, and running background checks can take up a large percentage of the day, particularly if you don’t have a dedicated HR person. A recruiter can take this responsibility off your shoulders, sourcing quality candidates to help fill graduate and low-level positions.

What is an executive search firm? An executive search firm provides the same basic services as a recruiter — advertising, screening, and hiring for candidates. However, there are considerable differences in the level to which an executive search firm works. This is largely to do with the types of candidates they are searching for.

As the name suggests, a team that provides executive search in Melbourne is looking for top-level candidates to fill C-suite positions, board members, and senior manager roles. This process involves a lot more than simply posting on LinkedIn. It takes keen industry knowledge and an extensive network of contacts to source the right candidates.

Often, the candidates that executive search firms target are not even actively looking for a position. As such, it is important that an executive search team acts with professionalism and confidentiality — particularly if a candidate is working for a direct competitor.

While some executive search teams may offer services across all industries , others are more selective in their market and specialisation. Recruiters, on the other hand, tend to work across every sector. You could argue that they are looking to fill as many positions as possible (which is not necessarily a bad thing!), rather than taking the time to source a high-quality, experienced candidate.

Working with an executive search team is the way to go As you can see, filling an executive position is a task that needs to be taken on by a professional. Don’t risk the operational and financial health of your business by tasking a recruiter with the responsibility of hiring one of your most senior employees.

There’s a reason that many companies use executive search in Melbourne — it works. Speak to an executive search team today to discover the many benefits and services on offer.