I was talking to a client last week, and after 3 weeks of progress updates on a retained search for an Engineering leader, we were closing out a shortlist and agreeing to an interview scheduled for 2 candidates. I came off the Teams meeting, and I caught myself thinking, “I thoroughly enjoy working with this client!”
Why? Because not all clients are created equal, I will highlight what I think makes a good, if not great client.
Forget the “war for talent” narrative. While the competition is fierce, success in engineering and manufacturing leadership recruitment hinges on a strong client partnership. Here’s what separates good clients from great ones, based on my experience placing 100% of retained searches in the past year.
Regardless of the efforts of the headhunter, a successful collaboration relies on a client who possesses certain qualities that will enhance the hiring process.
Obsessed with Finding the Best: You recognize that top talent transforms your business. This commitment sets the foundation for a successful partnership, ensuring that both parties are aligned in their pursuit of excellence. You actively participate in the search, providing clear expectations and selling points of the company, role, and responsibilities that will attract the ideal candidate.
Strategic, Critical, or Confidential Hire: Is the position you’re looking to fill important enough for it to matter to you? This might sound quite strange, and I bet you are thinking, well, every job opening matters. But does it? How often have you settled for what you have in front of you, or due to a lack of funding or leadership changes, decided the role is no longer required?
Values Expertise: Are you open to leveraging the expertise of a seasoned professional in the recruitment field? The ideal client values the insights and advice provided by an expert recruiter and recognizes that their experience can significantly contribute to making more informed hiring decisions. You will be amazed at the number of clients who don’t want to talk to their recruiters, give feedback, or can’t make themselves available throughout the recruitment process.
Embraces Collaboration: Do you believe in the power of collaboration? The ideal client understands that a strong partnership between the client and recruiter is essential for achieving optimal results. By providing timely feedback, both parties can navigate challenges, overcome obstacles, agitate a tough market, and ultimately secure the right talent.
Flexible for Success: Are you flexible and open to negotiation? The ideal client understands that the recruitment process may require compromise. Whether it’s adjusting expectations, timelines, or candidate criteria, a willingness to find common ground ensures a smoother and more successful hiring journey.
Adaptable to Change: In a dynamic business environment, agility is key. Are you adaptable to changing circumstances? The ideal client embraces an agile approach to recruitment, understanding that the ability to pivot and adjust strategies can lead to better outcomes and secure the top-performing talent in the market.
Working with a good client doesn’t just make life easier, it drives more successful outcomes. It is why we have completed 100%, yes 100%, of the retained assignments we have been awarded in the last 12 months, and it is why we continue to deliver favorable outcomes for our clients:
See some of our case studies here
Here are three ways that we can help…
CTS carries out deep talent mapping, nationwide, to ensure our shortlists contain only the very best leaders for your Engineering and Manufacturing teams.
1. We help to attract and retain the best candidates, specifically for your team, in addition to the frontline leaders that you’ll need for growth and stability.
2. Reduce the cost of acquiring and training new hires by supporting and enhancing the efforts of your onboarding team for the first 90 days.
3. Provide a zero-risk and no-cost assessment of your hiring strategies with a 15-minute consultation.
