According to a report by talent consultant Kevin Sheridan, “86 percent of executive search firms feel they are doing a good job recruiting, yet only 60 percent of candidates report having a positive experience during the recruiting process with them.”The best executive recruiters have the challenging task of ensuring their client (the hiring company) is satisfied with the process, quality of candidates, and timeline while simultaneously working with candidates who must also feel satisfaction with the process and outcome. Making a connection with the final candidate is vital to the recruiting process and can go a long way toward retention.

Top Three Characteristics

Working for clients and candidates alike, executive recruiters must possess the right characteristics to understand what the client needs in a candidate and how to best identify and recruit based on those needs. What does it take to be an exceptional recruiter?

  1. Great listening skills: It is imperative that an executive recruiter or search specialist has the gift of listening. The most effective recruiters use listening skills to ensure they fully comprehend details of the job description and focus in on the client’s expectations and preferences. Asking the right candidate questions and then truly listening to the response also guarantees the match between client and candidate is a good one.
  2. Asking the right questions before diving into the search: A basic job description will bring basic candidates to the table. A strong recruiter will dive into the detailed and exact job description before recruiting even begins.
  3. Perseverance: A true sign of a strong recruiter is one that is persistent. This means doing whatever it takes to identify and successfully recruit passive candidates who have the right skills and make for a cultural fit. Sometimes this means working outside of “normal” business hours and going to extra mile to develop the right rapport with a solid candidate. It is that relationship that can often make the difference.

Stay tuned for part II next week where we will highlight a few more of the distinguishing characteristics you want in your executive recruiter. And, be sure to visit our blog Pass the Torch regularly for helpful content focused on executive search and recruiting success.

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