How to Hire Top Talent - An Executive Recruiter Offers Advice For Employers

The same hiring challenges still exist in today's market.employment marketplace better than a professional,
First you have to insure that you have a competitiveindustry specific recruiter. They can access hidden
advantage to attract top talent. In the currenttalent that will never be found by newspaper ads,
economy, there are many good candidates activelyjob boards or applicant databases.
looking for a new position. But the task of attractingA recruiter will cast a larger net to find qualified
top talent by presenting your company's competitivecandidates. After evaluating the candidates awards
advantage, sourcing the best candidate pool andand achievements, stability, progression and
differentiating among top talent has not changed.personality fit against the hiring profile specifications
The goal is to hire the best possible candidate. Withthe recruiter will recommend a short list of top talent
that in mind, we have conducted research toto be interviewed. It is in your best interest to send
determine what the American workforce wants in anthe recruiter any internal referrals. This will confirm
employer. We have found that people want to workconsistency in the screening process and ensure that
for companies that have a good reputation, highyou are indeed seeing the top talent.
ethical standards and strong leadership. The findingsA structured, planned and well organized interview
of our research also identified company benefits,process will significantly increase the odds of hiring
competitive salary, bonus programs, companytop talent. Determine the key competencies prior to
matched 401(k)s, equity and advancementthe interview. Next, develop interview questions
opportunities as very important considerations.around these key competencies. Take an honest
Based on that information, if you want to attract toplook at your company culture and develop questions
talent you need to define and communicate yourthat will identify whether or not there is a cultural fit.
company's competitive advantage in order to attractAsk the same behavioral based questions to each
and retain top talent.candidate and compare what each candidate says to
Next, you need to identify and partner with a searchdetermine strengths, weaknesses and areas where
firm that is reputable, knowledgeable and veryyou need to ask follow-up questions.
connected within your industry. Nobody knows the