Executive Search Firms for Multiple Industries

Get the most from an executive job search firm in a competitive marketplace
By Paul Kocak Multiple-industry search firms bring the advantages of cross-discipline resources to network on behalf of both job seekers and firms looking to hire. Job seekers benefit from executive recruitment services because of the professional contacts they tap and the expertise they share. Executive search firms for multiple industries yield the additional benefit of providing flexibility to executives looking to transition to a different field.

To take advantage of the features that multiple-industry search firms offer, balance the help you get from the networking available across disciplines against the specialized knowledge a niche firm possesses. Executive recruiting firms for multiple industries cast a wider net than boutique firms, but do not sacrifice valuable trade and market information germane to your specialty. Consider these factors in deciding which firms to enlist:

1. Human-resource accreditations, certifications or membership in executive search firm trade groups

2. References and testimonials from previous clients of the executive recruitment firm

3. Codes of conduct or ethical standards the executive recruiting firm espouses and practices

Use executive search firms for multiple industries that dedicate a real person to work with you

Whether the executive search firm consists of three professionals or a staff of thousands, you deserve the dedicated resources of someone to guide your campaign. Just dealing with a website or an automated response machine does not cut it at the executive level.
Try:  Korn/Ferry International goes so far as to display personal e-mails and photos of its consultants, from the president on down. Similarly, Boyden Global Executive Search presents a scroll-down menu of its associates, linking to a contact page for each of its executive search professionals.

Find an executive job search firm that has both industry knowledge and human resources proficiency

Leading recruiting services for multiple industries understand the latest trends in their respective fields. In fact, they anticipate the emerging lines of thought in their practice areas. You'll know the depth of the bench supporting you by white papers, speakers bureaus and other professional engagements of the executive search firm.
Try:  By sharing surveys, published articles and other data in its Thought Leadership links, Russell Reynolds Associates demonstrates wide-ranging industry expertise. Heidrick & Struggles shares an extensive library of its consultants' published research and human resource articles.

Enlist executive search firms that are active on your behalf

Reading consultant biographies of executive search firm professionals gives a glimpse of their prior advocacy on behalf of clients. Case studies of client success also demonstrate how active executive recruiting services are likely to be for your search.
Try:  Edward W. Kelly & Partners has a roster of search professionals in global strategic locations who serve targeted business sectors. At Watson Wyatt Worldwide, the "Client Stories" page shares narratives of how a successful executive job search firm actively serves its customers.

• Ask a representative of an executive recruiting services firm to introduce you to a satisfied client.