Process
Planning Phase
Client Consultations
We conduct a thorough discovery meeting with the hiring executive and relevant members of the management team to determine the requirements for the position. We also endeavor to identify all other important factors about the company, culture, competition, etc. The information developed in these meetings becomes the foundation for our search plan and strategy.
Search Plan and Specifications
We develop a Search Project Plan that serves to guide all of our activities during the project. We also prepare and submit for client review and approval both a comprehensive Position Specification and a detailed Candidate Profile. These two critical documents form the basis for targeted search activities and for communication with individuals during the recruitment process.
Research and Search Strategy
For each executive search assignment we develop an in-depth recruitment strategy to direct the recruiting activities and a research strategy to provide the targeted support information necessary to identify high potential individuals. The research strategy will often draw on a complement of external resources to identify the environment where prospective candidates are most likely to be found.
Implementation Phase
Candidate Identification
The search and research strategies come together and enable us to source and identify prospective candidates. Extensive communications are involved in the process of qualifying prospective individuals and to identify the high potential candidates.
Recruitment
Most high potential candidates are successfully engaged and not seeking to make a change. Thus, it is often necessary to develop a strategy for each high potential candidate to recruit them for the client opportunity. A unique approach must be crafted that positions the opportunity to appeal to the aspirations and desires of the individual.
Interview and Assessment
We conduct personal meetings with the high potential candidates to further assess their individual qualifications and characteristics. We validate their pertinent skills and experience and also assess
such things as strategic vision, creativity, cultural fit, etc. These meetings also serve to allow us to engage in discussions that enable us to assess their communication skills and interpersonal abilities.
Presentation of Candidates
The executive search process is one of elimination. A disciplined process that results in a short list of the highest potential candidates for the position. At this stage, we meet with the client and extensively review each candidate and their qualifications. Our target is within 30 – 60 days.
Client / Candidate Meetings
We then make the necessary arrangements for the client and the top candidates to meet and appropriately brief each party for the meeting. Successful client/candidate meetings often require extensive coordination and communications to ensure optimum results.
Candidate Evaluations
Subsequent to the client/candidate meetings we provide feedback to each party and also assist the client in evaluating and comparing the individual candidates. We help them compare the candidates to the Position Specification and Candidate Profile, and to the other candidates. The decision to select the final candidate is always the clients and we assist them in any way that we can to make the best possible decision.
Reference Checking
Formal reference checks are conducted to help validate the candidate’s background, management ability, technical competency, integrity and character.
Client Communications
Probably the single most important element of a successful search project is our communication with the client. The majority of our work is done out of the field of view of the client, and it is our responsibility to keep them informed about the status of the project. We routinely communicate with clients by phone, e-mail and personal meetings to ensure continual client awareness of the progress of the project.
Closure
Compensation and Negotiations
Where appropriate, we counsel the client relative to the compensation package and are frequently asked to negotiate on behalf of our client with the selected candidate. As is often the case, at this stage both parties have a strong desire to proceed and a third party can facilitate understanding, agreement and closure.
Follow Up
We have a vested interest in the success of both our client and the successful candidate. Therefore, we work to facilitate the transition and continue to act as a liaison over the next year.
Client Evaluation and Feedback
We want to know that we are meeting and exceeding our client’s expectations. We solicit feedback from our clients after each engagement in an effort to continuously improve our performance.
Guarantee
6 to 12 months depending on the type of search.
Ratliff & Taylor | Cleveland
6450 Rockside Woods Blvd. S.
Independence, Ohio 44131
(216) 901-6000