Within our industry, there is potentially a stigma that using a recruiter is a luxury or an unnecessary evil rather than a necessity due to the sometimes-ambiguous benefits of using one.
At Cruinn, we take pride in the fact that we are transparent and honest in our practices and provide a service that goes above and beyond expectations.
We wanted to highlight why an external Executive Search Partner carries serious potential and why it should be a considerable avenue for most businesses.
Impartiality
Our knowledge of industries is extensive and true and allows us to look at each job role objectively. This enables us to measure internal resources against external hiring and evaluate the job role with an industry-wide perspective. This is particularly pertinent in the current climate where strategic hiring is at the forefront of most organisations strategies for growth whilst the candidate market is competitive and associated salaries are being driven up at an exponential rate. It is no longer possible to go with the “industry norm” when looking to attract key talent and to make appointments for the long term benefit of the business.
With this, we also bring experience, where we deal with a range of sectors and industries on a day-to-day basis giving us a deepened and more profound outlook on roles.
A True Partner with an External Perspective
Although we are an external consultancy, we pride ourselves on developing relationships to act as an extension to the businesses that we work with. This relationship allows us to learn and understand the business with a unique and external perspective whilst understanding the dynamics of your working structure from the bottom-up and top-down.
Time and time again, we see businesses hire for a role without truly assessing their internal structure. An external agency is able to identify areas of need that perhaps the business is too close to see, and we are able to demonstrate the difference between a need and a want. Whilst an external partner may not be based within your organisation, a true partner will spend time to understand your business and its aspirations and advise accordingly. Alternative ways of working and innovative ideas for how you approach your strategic operational plan should both be benefits of working with an external partner.
In our eyes, it is our job to challenge you and your business on what you want within your business and to advise on what we think your business actually needs. At times this is one in the same, whilst at others, it is an opportunity for you to look at your business from a different and fresh perspective to ensure that the vision of your company and the strategic recruitment plan goes hand in hand.
A Common Mistake
A mistake we often see is businesses basing a decision on the lowest price. It is best to have open and frank conversations about what the business is able to afford and choose a Partner who will work with you on commercial terms and tailor them to your needs rather than providing a blanket fee structure. Opportunity cost needs to be factored in and consideration of the cost to you and the business if the hire is not reflective of the business needs. Strategically hiring the right individual can have an exponentially positive impact on your business across the aspects of turnover and profit but also in the areas of morale, freedom of thought, aspirations and ambitions of your teams and wellbeing.
Choosing a Partner to hire strategically shouldn’t be valued any less than you would any other Consultancy that can support your business to grow and develop. It is always best to engage someone that you know will represent your business to the best of their ability and that they live by your ideals whilst recruiting for the role.
“An Executive Search Partner should add value that you didn’t even consider; they can bring pragmatic and innovative ideas to the business that may have been overlooked and provide insight that only a quality external partner can do. It isn’t always necessary to engage with an external partner, but when you do, it should be a collaborative and value-add relationship whereby they are able to add strength and depth to your leadership team and allow you to further develop your business.”– Claire Gillespie, Managing Director