Making a match is neither easy nor quick; it is, however, an art. Ours is a relational business; our consultants view their work as an opportunity to match exceptional leaders with extraordinary organizations. In representing our clients to the marketplace, we have to take the time to get to know our clients as well as our candidates over time in order to truly discern the best match, using our experience, knowledge, and best judgment. We appreciate the opportunity to get to know each candidate to the best of our ability within the context of the search. Following these tips will only enhance your candidate experience.
Be self-aware
Our approach to interviewing and assessing candidates places a high value on candidates’ ability to be thoughtful and reflective. Every interaction we have goes into our evaluation of candidates. For example, the position description has been carefully crafted to capture the essence of the role, its value to the client, and the client’s culture. In turn, as you prepare your materials, you should use this information to think about your own experience and how it applies to the role in question.
Be flexible and accommodating
If you decide to participate in a search process, you are making a commitment to be available and flexible. Know that up front. Clients’ patience wears thin very quickly with candidates who cannot make the interview schedule work. We do our level best to make everyone’s schedules work; your assistance in helping us to do so is very noticed and appreciated.
Be respectful of the process
Let your experience speak for itself. We review every application carefully. Believe it or not, attempting to circumvent the process by currying favor, either with us or with anyone at the client organization, is perceived as either unprofessional, unseemly or both. Once you have entered into an active search process, we bear sole responsibility for representing you to the client.
We recognize that a selection process can be nerve-wracking; we do our best to minimize that. At the same time, we ask you to comport yourself in a way that honors discretion and good judgment.
Be patient and don’t make assumptions
A search can take all sorts of twists and turns behind the scenes, for reasons having nothing at all to do with candidates. The single best thing you can do for your candidacy is simply to demonstrate patience. Even if months have gone by, the search is not over until you hear from us that it is over; in the meantime, the old hack about making assumptions holds true here as much as ever.
Be on time
This seems like it should be a no-brainer, but really. Check the position description for the application deadline, and make sure you get your materials in well before that date.