You’ve got a vacancy at your organisation, and you need to find someone great to join the team. Someone who has the skills and experience you need, but who also “fits in”, who gels with the rest of the team and gets the organisation’s culture.
So, what do you do? You could try to fill the role yourself, save some money for the company. After all, there’s not much to it, right? Write up a job description, advertise the role on various sites, sift through applications, figure out who to interview, create a shortlist, devise an interview schedule, contact the shortlist, schedule interviews….
Whew – wait a minute there is quite a bit to it. But you’re busy, your team is busy.
It takes time, energy and resources to properly advertise, interview and fill a vacancy, especially if you want to find the right person for the role. Hiring isn’t a quick “let’s post the job up and we’re done” type situation.
The competitive job market means that finding the right professional talent is crucial for an organization’s success. Companies that want to ensure they make the correct hire from the outset turn to executive search services to streamline this process.
But like any business decision, using an executive search service comes with its own set of advantages and disadvantages. Let’s explore these to help you make an informed choice.
With an executive search service you get:
Access to a Broader Talent Pool – Most executive search firms have extensive networks and databases that go beyond typical job boards and LinkedIn searches. They can tap into passive candidates—those not actively seeking new opportunities but open to the right offer. The PIE Exec Search has a database of thousands of international education professionals who are open to new opportunities.
Expertise and Industry Knowledge – Some firms specialize in executive placements in specific industries. The PIE Exec Search is the only executive search firm focused on international education placements. Our international education expertise allows us to understand the unique requirements of senior roles in the sector and match candidates who possess the necessary skills, experience, and cultural fit.
Time Efficiency – Recruiting for executive positions is time-consuming. By outsourcing this task, your internal team can focus on other priorities. Executive search firms, like The PIE Exec Search, handle the entire process, from sourcing and vetting candidates to negotiating offers, significantly reducing the time-to-hire.
Confidentiality – When searching for candidates at senior level positions, confidentiality is crucial. Executive search firms can conduct searches discreetly, protecting both the client’s and the candidate’s privacy until the right time. The service at The PIE Exec Search is 100% confidential throughout the process.
What are the possible drawbacks to using an executive search service?
Cost – Arguably one of the most significant impacts is cost, and for smaller companies this can be prohibitive. Executive search services charge fees, and some search firms are expensive. The fee structure for The PIE Exec Search is competitive and fair, and we are often less expensive than other, bigger search firms that don’t have international education expertise.
Dependence on External Vendors – Relying heavily on external search firms might undermine your internal HR capabilities. It’s important to maintain a balance, and The PIE Exec Search will work closely with your HR team to ensure they involved throughout the process.
Longer Process for Senior Roles – While search firms can expedite the hiring process, finding the right executive can still take time. High-level searches, in particular, can be lengthy due to the level of scrutiny and negotiation involved. Thankfully, The PIE Exec Search team have extensive experience in senior role searches and can move the process as swiftly as possible.
Variable Quality – Not all executive search firms are created equal. The quality of service can vary significantly between providers, and choosing the wrong firm can lead to subpar candidates and wasted resources. The PIE Exec Search is the only recruitment search service dedicated to international education professionals, clients and jobs. International education is what we do.
The decision to use an executive search service should be based on an assessment of your organisation’s specific requirements, resources, and long-term goals. It can be a valuable strategy for hiring top-level talent, offering access to a broader talent pool, specialised expertise, and increased confidentiality – saving you time and money by securing the leadership talent you need for your organisation’s success.