With the current skills shortage in the technology sector and ever-increasing demand it is simply not enough to broadcast a role when you are recruiting for your leadership team. Placing an advertisement or hoping a quality candidate will alight upon your website will rarely succeed. You deserve and require the very best of candidates. Invariably, finding great people requires a more proactive approach.
The best candidates are not looking for your role
The best of candidates, or targets, are probably fully committed to working for a competitor, supplier, customer or possibly currently working overseas and not actively looking for another role. Alternatively, they may be restricted via a compromise agreement, garden leave or clause in their current contract – all of which can be the subject of further negotiation and equitable determination.
A discreet approach
A thorough, comprehensive, discreet and confidential first approach to the targets is required for a number of reasons.
You may not wish to disclose your plans to competitors, customers, suppliers or other key employees in the first instance only to suffer rejection.
Without disclosing your identity and plans, the target is open to considering an alternative offer and challenge. An opportunity can be taken to discuss what they are looking for. The target can assess the outline description of your opportunity and challenge. They can consider its appeal and see if it builds on relevant past achievements.
The missing link – Executive Search
In order to achieve this, the assistance of an Executive Search consultant (AKA head-hunter) is recommended. In the UK we have probably the best professional football league in the world which has been enabled to a large extent by professional search consultants. The profession has also assisted many of the most successful large companies and is available to the SME market. The cost is not prohibitive and can be negotiated to an acceptable level. It is worth developing relationships with these individuals so that they can become more familiar with your business and be available to contribute when required. The dividend from this investment can be considerable.
For a confidential chat on finding a new member for your C-Suite IT team contact our recruitment specialist advisor Mike Pill by email at mike.pill@hcbusinessadvisors.co.uk or call him on 01276 684007
