What does it mean when a job is advertised by an Executive Recruiter? Companies hire executive search firms when the stakes are high, either because they need a perfect skills match, they need discretion, or the cost of hiring a poor fit is higher than the $75k + of hiring a top-notch recruiting firm.
What does this mean to you, as a candidate? It gives you an understanding of the stakes involved, it can help you take the position as seriously as the organization considering you, and gives you patience with the gatekeeper for the desired positon.
Perfect skills match: Many candidates become frustrated with the job search process, especially with recruiters who seem too picky about a perfect match. When you have the insight to suspect that the search team was hired to find an exact skills match, you can use that to your advantage. If you’re not a good fit, ask the recruiter to keep you in mind for other positions and offer them contacts for other possible candidates. Not only does that cement your information in the recruiter’s mind, it’s good for your network!
Discretion: When you are contacted by an Executive Recruiter about a pivotal position, or if you’re asked to keep the knowledge need-to-know, respect the need for discretion. Keep the news quiet until you’re hired. That courtesy will pay off with both your new employer and a hiring influencer who can help you advance your career again when you’re ready to move on.
Fit first: When hiring pivotal positions where fit can have consequences on the bottom line, organizations look to the fit experts, executive search firms and the best Executive Recruiters. If you’re being considered for a C-suite position, use the opportunity to discuss with your Executive Recruiter exactly what a perfect fit would look like for this job. Unless you’re overqualified, it’s a matter for concern for you, too. Ensuring that you are awarded a position that fits your experience, skills, and personality should be just as important to you as it is to your potential employer. Success in your career is based on choosing jobs that you can do well, fit is vital to your career as well as to hiring influencers.
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