How to Choose an Executive Search Firm

Organizations know that talent issues are business issues. The competition for qualified executive leadership is fierce. Amidst the uncertainty and growing complexity in today’s climate, business leaders turn to trusted advisors for strategic insights and to minimize risk. The best candidates could be across town or across the globe Executive search consultants know the terrain, the talent business and their clients’ business.

Organizations are increasingly partnering with executive search firms to identify, attract and retain top talent, but also to assess existing talent, build succession strategies and advise boards on long-term strategic vision. Introducing new leaders can have a significant impact on market perception, consumer confidence and employee engagement.

However, the risks associated with an unsuccessful executive hire can be disastrous. The direct costs of the wrong hire include compensation and the impact on sales or market position. The indirect costs can be even more significant and include lost momentum and the negative impact on organizational, market, and customer confidence.

Choosing the right executive search firm is a critical business decision with long-term impact. To help business leaders—from CEOs and CHROs to Boards of Directors and Procurement teams—navigate a new breed of executive search firms, we’ve developed the Global Guide to Choosing an Executive Search Firm. AESC is dedicated to strengthening leadership worldwide and this guide offers everything you need to know to about working with an executive search firm. The effective recruitment of senior management is critical to any organization's success and the selection of a consultant to assist with this important function should be performed with care. It is essential to reduce risk and get it right.

The guide outlines: 

• The Value of Executive Search
• Solutions Available to your Top Business Challenges
• Talent Acquisition Models: Contingency and In-House Corporate Recruitment vs. Executive Search
• How to Identify the Highest Quality Firms from the Rest
• The Executive Search Process
• What Clients can do to Help Ensure Success
• And more  

Our Global Guide to Choosing an Executive Search Firm provides clients with an in-depth understanding of executive search including the services that will be provided, method of operation, limitations that could affect the search, who is handling the assignment, totality of fees, and other expectations. There exists a proliferation of companies that purport to provide executive search consulting services. The number of unqualified firms declaring to be qualified has created the need for guidelines so that clients can assess the quality, professionalism, reputation and track record of both the executive search firm and that of the consultant. 

AESC Members are the highest quality firms worldwide and range in size from large global executive search and leadership advisory firms and networks to regional and boutique firms. Membership is highly selective and AESC Members leverage their access and expertise to place, find and develop more than 80,000 executives each year in board and C-level positions for the world's leading organizations of all types and sizes. By virtue of selecting an AESC Member firm, clients can be secure in their choice of consulting firm, and can reap the benefits that only a trusted advisor can deliver.