Executive Search: Tips for multiple senior hires

Within executive search, it is not unheard of that a business might need more than one senior hire at the same time. Alternatively, you might have a six month timeline in order to fill a certain number of positions. Attracting top executive talent is not easy, so where do you begin when there are more roles to fill?

It can be daunting, but it’s all about planning. Think of it not as a standard recruitment process, but an entire recruitment project. Having led many executive search projects, we wanted to share some insights with you!

What an executive search project for multiple hires involves

When working alongside an executive search agency, you will be able to map out exactly what you need in terms of organisational structure. The best teams lead by example, so it can be overwhelming trying to find multiple people who can demonstrate this leadership quality.

We always encourage our clients to allow our involvement as much as possible. It’s great for recruitment specialists to really get a feel for the business and get to know its people. This is especially important when we have to understand how multiple departments work. As such, an essential part of a retained recruitment project is to offer on-site resources.

Furthermore, projects like these are not a one person job. We utilise multiple consultants so that all areas are covered. We also offer recruitment marketing support with employer brand materials and social sourcing content, thanks to our own internal marketing department.

The ultimate goal is to leave employers equipped with the right tools so they can find the right people. Explore our full breakdown of retained senior recruitment projects.

Hiring tips to help you on your way

Of course, every hiring process will have some obstacles along the way. Some may be bigger than others. However, we want to share some tips to think about before you begin a multiple hire project!

1. Map out your timeline: This must be done first. Look ahead and choose an ideal start date for each hire – it might be some are more urgent than others. You can then start from the beginning with your other steps, such as when you engage an executive search agency and when the interviews will begin.
2. Stick to the timeline: Timelines are there for a reason. We urge you to not let the pressures of an important recruitment project push you into rushing anything. Take your time and
3. Communicate your values: In any process, your company values are important. However, when hiring senior employees, they need to be infused into the process throughout. If the business leaders do not understand your values, how can they lead their team accordingly? A good idea is to include a task where the candidates discuss these values and how they interpret them.
4. Use your team for insights: The team who will be managed by the new hires will know exactly how the department operates day to day. So, they will be able to share areas they think can be improved. Furthermore, they can share what qualities they think the leader needs. With these simple insights, you will be able to structure the interview with the team in mind – they are an important factor after all.
5. Identify the characteristics you want to see: The skills of the candidates are a given, but what demonstrable characteristics would you like the new senior hires to have. For example, do they have a strong track record of loyalty to past companies? Can they show that their previous teams respected them? A strong character makes for a strong leader!

How can we help you?

TechNET CxO is the trusted executive search partner for many technology and IT companies! Explore our full range of research services to discover what we do. If you’re looking for senior talent, submit your vacancy today and we will be in touch!