Executive Search. Searching and headhunting for executives and managers.
Executive Search – a recruitment strategy in the world of leadership
Executive Search, or headhunting, is much more than recruitment – it’s a mission to attract leaders who are not looking for a job, but represent inaccessible potential hidden deep within market structures. This service is not about publishing ads – it’s about locating and taking an active interest in exceptional professionals with an offer that can change the direction of their career and the future of the client company.
This process is particularly important when filling key leadership, management and expert positions, where a wrong decision can cost millions. As the Deloitte (2023) report shows, the wrong choice of leader can reduce the productivity of a department by up to 30%, while the right decision can increase the efficiency of the entire organization.
What does the Executive Search process look like?
Although the approach varies depending on the industry and the client’s needs, six key stages of the headhunting process can be identified:
- Definition of the profile of the ideal candidate – a detailed understanding of the competencies, experience and personality traits the client expects.
- Developing a search strategy – identifying target companies, potential channels and tools for reaching candidates.
- Research and pre-selection – creating a list of potential candidates based on market analysis and available sources.
- Establishing contact with candidates – subtly and professionally exploring readiness for a job change.
- Assessment of candidates – in-depth interviews, competency tests, psychometric or reference tests.
- Presentation of the shortlist to the client – recommendation of candidates with the highest potential for final interviews.
Where are we looking for leaders?
Sourcing talent using the Executive Search method requires going beyond standard advertisements. Headhunters use:
- Social networks (LinkedIn, XING, GitHub) – to identify passive candidates who are not looking for a job.
- Analysis of competing companies – to reach industry leaders.
- recommendations from their own databases and previous projects.
- industry events, conferences and networking – which allow you to make direct contact.
Why invest in Executive Search?
According to a report by Korn Ferry (2022), as many as 65% of companies using headhunters reported an increase in management efficiency within 12 months of hiring. Here are the main benefits of working with a professional executive search agency:
- Access to passive candidates you won’t find in ads.
- Headhunters’ industry specialization that ensures the accuracy of the match.
- Reduce recruitment time with proven identification and selection methods.
- Maintaining discretion, key in sensitive recruiting.
- Building a positive employer image (employer branding) in the eyes of market leaders.
What is the difference between headhunting and poaching?
Although both methods are based on actively reaching out to a candidate, they have different goals and ethics. Headhunting involves finding the best possible candidate based on a defined profile – without a specific indication by the client. Poaching, on the other hand, is acting at the behest of a client who wants to “acquire” a particular employee, often from a competitor. It is a form of aggressive recruitment strategy that requires special sensitivity and knowledge of the market.
Executive Search today is not a luxury, but a necessity for companies that want to effectively compete for the best people in a talent shortage environment. It is a tailor-made service, combining analytics, empathy, industry knowledge and strategic thinking. By choosing a proven partner, organizations gain not only an employee, but also a new advantage.
Origin:
- Association of Executive Search and Leadership Consultants (AESC), Global Executive Talent Outlook 2023, https://www.aesc.org/insights/thought-leadership/global-executive-talent-outlook-2023
- Deloitte, Global Human Capital Trends 2023, pp. 42-43, https://www2.deloitte.com/insights/us/en/focus/human-capital-trends/2023.html
- Korn Ferry, The Real World of Executive Search: 2022 Global Study, https://www.kornferry.com/insights/this-week-in-leadership/executive-search-2022
As LeasingTeam Group, we successfully completed a recruitment project using the executive search method, responding to the needs of an FMCG company that was looking for three employees for the positions of Regional Sales Directors.
