A proven, seven-stage process to finding the right fit

A focused and forensic approach

Defining the role profile

Our starting point is to listen, getting under the skin of your business – its culture, objectives, products, services, financial performance, market perception, competitive environment, and position within your industry sector.

We consult with key stakeholders to understand the role and its value to the organisation – the technical-capability requirements and responsibilities as well as the necessary emotional intelligence and interpersonal attributes required. We will then compile a detailed profile of the ideal candidate and agree delivery timescales.

Exploring the talent pool

Built over many years, our proven track record in the regions we serve, means we are uniquely positioned to leverage extensive talent networks, referrals, and the latest AI search technology to help you find the right people to give you the competitive edge. Because many of our engagements require unique skill sets, we also have the option of delving discreetly into a deep pool of 'passive' talent to find your exact match.

Matching people to the role profile

Taking the time to build and manage relationships effectively is crucial. Stage 3 is the flipside of Stage 1, where, this time, we listen carefully to our candidates, ensuring their career aspirations, work–life balance, personal development needs, technical capability, cultural fit, and behavioural characteristics are clearly understood and align with any opportunities we discuss and share.

We take the same rigorous approach in assessing, challenging, and supporting candidates as we do our clients, informing them of the application process and the timescales involved. The one thing the people we place appreciate above everything else is our communication – the fact that we proactively stay in touch.

Match-assessment and evaluation

We utilise a range of sophisticated profiling and testing tools to give you the in depth and accurate insight to make the right decision. These tools take you beyond a limiting and not always reliable past-performance-and-experience approach to a more holistic, accurate and predictive model that also profiles a candidate's personality, emotional intelligence, and interpersonal style.

It is a proven approach that enables us to predict a prospective employee's ability to adapt and develop within an organisation, ensuring a cultural as well as technical-capabilities-based fit. This is especially common practice for senior and executive, and other key strategic appointments.

Shortlisting, insight, and interviews

 Following evaluation, we will present the short-listed candidates, along with additional background information and consultant recommendations. As appropriate, we share our in-depth evaluation reports – detailing capabilities and competencies in relation to the ideal profile, their strengths, and potential for development. This enables you to probe any areas of significance or concern, during interviews. After each interview stage, feedback is obtained, and interest levels carefully monitored.

Offer management and salary negotiation 

 We will handle the verbal offer and acceptance process, followed up by written confirmation from your organisation. In a candidate-led market where competition for the best talent is fierce, our extensive experience in promoting offers to prospective appointees can make the difference between acceptance and rejection. As your representative, our role is to provide a sounding board for candidates and resolve any outstanding issues or concerns. It is at this stage that references are thoroughly checked. Our in-depth market knowledge means we are uniquely placed to advise on an equitable remuneration and benefits package as part of the contractual negotiations.

On-boarding and in-post development and support

Ours is a holistic, integrated approach that offers clients complete solutions – from search and selection through to employee evaluation, engagement, and development. We're in it for the long haul. We want to see your new employee flourish and your business thrive, which is why we support the appointee through their notice period, and beyond to ensure a smooth and successful transition.

Our strategic HR consultancy also offer in-post assessment and evaluation tools that enable you to predict future performance and fit. They help you focus your resources more cost effectively, identifying potential risk as well as highlighting areas for career-development investment, vital for the retention of the brightest and best leadership talent.