Executive Recruiters

How to determine when to utilize them in your job search and how to identify professional firms.

Do I Need to Utilize an Executive Recruiting Firm?

A suggested job search plan:
Step 1. Identify employers/organizations
Step 2. Research employer/organizations
Step 3. Prepare and submit customized cover letters and resumes
Step 4. Follow-up

Step 1: Identify Employers/Organizations

• Plan to identify and communicate with 3 new employers/organizations every other week.
• Utilize as many sources as possible to identify your 3 new employers/organizations for the week.
• Have you exhausted the following:
  - Your personal network
  - SBA – Business Career Center
  - Books (SBA BCC)
  - Career Days/Job Fairs/Networking Events (SBA BCC)
  - Internet
  - Professional Organizations
  - Other LUC Resources
  - LUC Library
  - LUC Alumni Association: www.loyolachicagoalum.net/ask
  - Chambers of Commerce
  - Colleges and Universities in Other Cities (only if relocating)

Step 2: Research Employers/Organizations

• Thoroughly research employers/organizations to assess your degree of fit.
• Mission/philosophy statement
• Products and services
• Clientele

Step 3: Prepare & Submit Customized Cover Letters and Resumes

• Contact employers/organizations after conducting research by submitting a customized cover letter and resume (electronically and in hard-copy to human resources and the hiring manager, if you are able to determine who the hiring manager is in your research)
• The customization of your resume and cover letter is critical as prospective employers are inundated with inquiries and have frequently commented that most candidates overlook examining and explaining their “degree of fit” with an organization.
• You should have a minimum of 3 “touches” per employer/organization:
  1. Human Resources (cover letter/resume)
  2. Hiring Manager (cover letter/resume)
  3. Follow-up phone call to Human Resources and if possible the Hiring Manager

Step 4: Follow-up!

• Contact H.R. to see if your materials have been received
• Schedule informational interviews
• Schedule regular interviews

More Follow-up!

• Polish resume reflecting the organizations/industries you have contacted.
• Hand-carry polished resume to job shadow, informational interview or regular interview.
• Write “thank-you” letter immediately upon return form job shadow, informational interview or regular interview.
• Make follow-up networking phone calls to the 3 sources you connected with the previous week.

Executive Recruiting Firms

• Identifying the most appropriate staffing or executive recruiting firm can be a challenge.  Three sources for ensuring you do business with the most professional and credible agencies include:
  - Association of Executive Search Consultants (www.aesc.org)                       - Illinois Staffing Association (www.isa-il.org)
  - National Association of Executive Recruiters (www.naer.org)
• Types of Executive Recruiting Firms
  - Contingent: The fee to the executive recruiter is contingent upon your getting hired
  - Retained: The fee to the executive recruiter is negotiated between the company and the executive recruiting firm
• Choosing a reputable firm
  The Association of Executive Search Consultants has developed a checklist to help ensure that you are working with a reputable firm that adheres to its professional and ethical standards of practice: 
  - Size of the firm
  - Geographical reach
  - Industry knowledge and specialization    
  - Guarantees and liabilities
  - Search process
  - Qualities of the search manager
  - The role of the client

Resources: Professional Organizations & Books           

• Association of Executive Search Consultants (www.aesc.org)
• American Management Association (www.amanet.org)
• Illinois Staffing Association (www.isa-il.org)
• National Association of Colleges and Employers (www.naceweb.org) 
• National Association of Executive Recruiters (www.naer.org)
• Outsourcing Institute (www.outsourcing.com) 
• The Directory of Executive Recruiters 2005-2006, 34th Edition, Kennedy Information publishers

AVOID and ASK

• Monster.com and HotJobs.com – these resources have too many layers.
• Executive Recruiters and/or Staffing Agencies that charge fees for their services.
• If at any time you are questioning a resource, feel free to check with a BCC staff member for assistance.