Looking for the Best of the Best? Our Executive Search Firm Can Help!
Introduction
Filling vacancies for leadership roles in a company can be challenging if there's no one you can promote internally. If there are no qualified candidates within your organization, headhunting is the next logical move.
While relying on your HR department for headhunting is perfectly fine, you might want to consider other options to find high-quality talents faster.
One such alternative is to hire an executive search firm. Such agencies help find the best candidates more efficiently, thanks to their vast talent network and time-tested recruitment strategies.
Moreover, executive search firms go beyond finding the best candidates. They can also help you improve your recruitment strategies, assist with onboarding, and boost retention of management-level talent, providing comprehensive support throughout the hiring process.
Are you considering hiring an executive search firm now? This guide by Q2 HR Solutions details how a headhunting agency can help your company in the Philippines meet executive needs.
Positions Filled by Executive Search Firms
Executive search firms, often referred to as headhunters, are distinct from general HR recruitment agencies. While both help your company find new talents, headhunters specifically focus on identifying high-quality candidates for top management positions, offering a more specialized and targeted service.
Headhunters help companies identify and place people for C-suite, senior management, and specialized roles. These positions are all focused on leadership, and they have a few defining characteristics that set them apart.
C-Suite Positions
The C in C-suite stands for "Chief," so the roles at this level include chief executive officers (CEO), chief operating officers (COO), and chief marketing officers (CFO), among others. Some companies also hire chiefs for human resources, security, and analytics.
Senior Management Roles
People in senior management roles are close to C-level executives. Senior managers are higher in rank than general managers, hold more responsibilities, and engage in business planning, execution, and decision-making.
Specialized Posts
Specialized positions are roles for a specific industry. Headhunting agencies focusing on particular fields like healthcare, construction, and mining have industry experts who properly vet candidates for these highly specific and technical top-level roles.
Qualifications Executive Search Firms Look for in Their Candidates
Hiring for an executive role is more complex than recruiting for low-level positions. HR professionals recruiting for the latter usually target active candidates or those actively looking for a job.
Meanwhile, executive search firms target passive candidates—executives who aren't actively looking for a new job but are highly qualified for vacant leadership positions. Hiring agencies first establish connections with these candidates before offering them an opportunity.
To find the best fit for a leadership role, headhunters use high-level standards to evaluate a candidate's experience, track record, and technical expertise.
Leadership Experience
Executive search firms look for talents with extensive experience in senior management positions. They also evaluate an individual's decision-making, innovative thinking, and people skills. Firms often test whether candidates have these capabilities through focused assessments and interviews.
Track Record of Excellence
Headhunters consider not only a person's tenure but also their track record of success. One factor headhunters look into is the individual's impact on business growth and innovations. Agencies confirm the candidate's accomplishments through reference checks.
Technical Expertise
Executive hiring agencies select candidates with extensive industry knowledge and experience. They look for people who understand the market thoroughly, which is essential to making informed and strategic business decisions. Firms evaluate an individual's expertise through technical assessments and interviews.
Executive Search: Behind the Scenes
Headhunters undergo a rigorous process to find the best candidates to fill your leadership vacancies. They have a team of experts who execute a system that is planned, tested, perfected over time, and in sync with job market trends in the Philippines.
Executive search agencies are also proficient in adjusting their strategy to accommodate your company's unique needs. They do not serve merely as recruiters but also consultants, and their knowledge not only helps you find the best fit but also improves your hiring process.
Headhunters specifically go through the following phases to secure your company's top-quality talents:
Initial Consultation
The first step in the executive search is pinpointing the company's hiring needs. Consultants do this by learning everything about your organization and identifying what leadership role will help your business move forward.
The search firm will then help you build a candidate profile based on their findings. Consultants will refer to this profile when creating a job description for their talent outreach.
Search Process
After finalizing the job description, the search firm will tap into its network of executives and will provide you with a list of interested candidates. This list will be narrowed down to a few through an initial interview.
The firm will then screen candidates further through a series of assessments, including competency-based interviews, psychometric tests, background checks, and in-depth interviews. They will likely invite key persons from your company for the final interview.
Negotiation and Onboarding
In this phase, the hiring firm will work with you to review interview results and decide on a candidate. The agency will then present the job offer to the prospect and negotiate the contract details, including the compensation package for the executive role.
The search firm's job doesn't end when the candidate accepts the offer. They will also guide the new hire throughout the transition process, assist with onboarding, check in regularly, and even provide leadership coaching.
Q2 HR Solutions: Providing Excellent Executive Search Services
Q2 HR Solutions has over 20 years of headhunting experience and is proud to hold a platinum accreditation from IIP, making it one of the top executive recruiting firms in the Philippines. Our services have helped many organizations fill their senior vacancies and forged strong relationships with these companies.
Our connections with businesses from various industries, including BPO and healthcare, have resulted in a broad network of executives we can readily tap into to meet your talent needs.
We also implement an efficient recruitment process and vet candidates according to the highest standards, so you can rely on us to help you with your executive search.
FAQs About Executive Search Firms in the Philippines
How Do You Know if You Need Executive Search Services?
Many companies in the Philippines promote internally to fill executive positions, but there are situations when hiring a headhunting agency is more practical, such as:
When you need assistance in defining the role and creating a profile for a new executive position
When you want to reduce the risk of a bad hire
When there are no qualified candidates for the position within the organization
When you need your executive search to remain confidential
When you're hiring for a specialized role, for instance, for a legal department
If your business experiences any of these, consulting an executive search firm can help point you to your next steps.
Do Small Businesses Benefit From Executive Search Solutions?
Yes, small companies can benefit from hiring executive search agencies. Partnering with these firms can help your small business find top candidates faster, owing to the firm's efficient process.
A headhunting agency can also help businesses that are only starting to build connections. Through the firm's expansive talent pool, you can gain opportunities to meet more potential candidates than if you're going to headhunt on your own.
Working with executive search firms can also reduce overhead costs. Since you're outsourcing your recruitment efforts, you won't need to pay permanent employees and shoulder hiring expenses internally. They can also help ease your HR department's workload so your staff can focus on core business tasks and employee growth.
How Long Does the Executive Search Process Take?
The search duration for executive roles may take three months or longer, depending on the recruitment agency you hire, your company's industry, the position's requirements, and the current job market.
Upon your first meeting, your hired headhunter should give you a timeline of their process. Ideally, the timeline should include the specific phase and the allotted completion time. Your hiring agency should also explain why a particular period is necessary for each step. Moreover, they should be transparent about schedule adjustments.
Conclusion
Executive search firms assist your company in the Philippines by helping you find the best people to fill leadership roles. They make headhunting efficient, thanks to their systematic process and vast network.
The best headhunters in the country vet candidates using the highest standards. They thoroughly check an individual's experience, track record, and technical expertise to ensure your company gets only the best talents.
Our experts at Q2 HR Solutions follow an industry-standard headhunting process and are connected with a vast network of executives nationwide. Partnering with us might be just the thing you need to find people who will take your company to the next level.
Reach out to us today so we can help you with your headhunting journey.
