By Beverly Seffel
I recently spoke with a potential client who had a less than optimal job search experience with a search firm. Because of that experience, she was apprehensive about engaging any firm, including ours, to do a job search. Rather, the decision was made to conduct the search themselves.
Unfortunately, bad job search experiences will occur and dealing with the unsettling and disruptive ensuing turnover as a result of a bad hire is no pleasant task. However, there are many reasons to engage a firm that specializes in certain job categories and has a proven record of placement success, rather than going at it alone.
A job search is an investment and it costs much less in the long run to find the right person up-front, instead of a second search a year later. Recruitment and selection are part art and part science and there are experts who can increase the odds of a successful hire through the implementation of a rigorous and disciplined job search and applicant screening process.
In my recent conversation with this potential client, I explained that when Bacon Lee and Associates does a search, we conduct a position analysis to determine job requirements, culture and supervisor fit. We then cull our extensive database of qualified applicants for a good match for your organization and post the position in a number of different venues to maximize distribution of job information. Two members of our team review all of the applications, and applicants are scored individually to make sure they meet the client’s qualifications. In addition to job requirements, we consider personality and behavioral attributes, energy, passion for the cause and ascertain if they are a good fit with current staff, supervisor and culture. We narrow down the applications, conduct the first round of behavioral-based interviews and continue to narrow down the candidate pool to the top 3-5 candidates. Due diligence is done before the client ever sees the applicants.
We network within the community and have earned the confidence of professionals who are interested in moving to another position, therefore we are able to notify them and share position information should they be interested. We look for qualified individuals with a sound reputation in the community and a quantifiable track record.
I care deeply for the people within this organization and have a great deal of respect for its mission. I do hope this individual gives us the opportunity to help them find the right person. If not, I guess I may see her again next year!