What’s the difference between executive search and recruitment?

There is a lot of confusion about the difference between executive search and recruitment. Many people use the two terms interchangeably, but they are actually quite different. Very simply put, executive search firms focus on finding senior level executives for companies, while recruitment firms will source employees for all levels of a company.

In this blog post, we will discuss the main differences between these two types of consultancies in more depth and explain which one is right for your business.

What is an executive search firm?

An executive search firm is one that specialises in helping organisations find and hire senior level executives. Executive search firms are typically retained by companies to fill very specific, high level roles. These can include positions such as CEO, CFO and president.

These firms typically have a team of experienced recruiters who are skilled at identifying, assessing and recruiting top talent. They also usually have strong relationships with key industry players and can provide insights into the latest trends and developments. As a result, they can be a valuable resource for organisations that are looking to build their leadership team.

What is a recruitment agency?

A recruitment agency is a firm that matches open positions within companies with candidates looking for new jobs. The agency will work with the company to understand their needs and then use their networks as well as job seekers already on their books to identify potential candidates.

They will also usually pre screen candidates to save the company time and ensure that only the most qualified applicants are put forward.

What are the main differences between the two?

The key differences between executive search firms and recruitment agencies are:

• The types of roles they look to fill
• The way they work with clients
• How they find candidates

The types of roles they look to fill

As discussed, executive search companies are typically used to fill senior level positions within an organisation, such as a CEO or president, while recruitment agencies are usually used to fill positions at lower levels within an organisation.

The way they work with clients

The executive search process is usually much more hands-on than recruitment, as it often involves headhunting individuals who may not be actively looking for a new job. The process of executive search can be very time consuming and therefore costs more, which is why it is typically used to fill the most critical positions within an organisation.

Executive search firms also have a deep understanding of the specific industry and sector that their client is in, which helps them to identify the ideal candidate for the role.

The recruitment process is typically less hands-on than executive search, as it often relies on job postings and other traditional methods of advertising open positions. It can also involve simply matching candidates already on the recruitment agency's books with new roles that come up.

This process is less time consuming and expensive than executive search, which is why it is often used to fill a wider range of positions within an organisation.

How they find candidates

The pool of potential candidates for senior level roles is much smaller than it is for lower level positions, so executive search firms use a variety of methods to find the best possible candidates. This could include networking, headhunting and market research.

The net won't be cast very wide in executive search. The consultancy will have a much deeper understanding of exactly what is required for the role and will look for the exact right person to fill the position - one who can help take the client's business to the next level.

Their approach tends to be much more proactive than that of a recruitment agency - often headhunting the ideal candidate even if they're not currently looking for a new position.

The executive search consultancy will tend to partner with specific types of companies and have an in-depth knowledge of the industry to help them achieve this.

Recruitment firms, on the other hand, are not usually retained by companies. They will typically take on projects to fill lower to mid-level positions. The pool of potential candidates for these roles is much larger, so recruitment firms will use tools like job boards and social media to source active job seekers.

They may also work with companies to help them identify their specific staffing needs and then find candidates that fit those needs via LinkedIn, job boards, etc.

Which is right for your business?

As we've seen, executive search and recruitment are two terms that are often used interchangeably, but they actually refer to two very different processes. Understanding the difference between these two terms is important for any organisation looking to fill critical positions within their company.

So, which type of consultancy is right for your business?

It’s important to use the right recruiting tool for each position you’re looking to fill in your company. Utilising both an executive search firm and recruitment agencies in your overall hiring strategy will ensure that you find the most qualified and suitable candidates for each position, regardless of its level within your organisation.

Here is a summary of the criteria to consider when deciding whether to use an executive search consultancy or a recruitment agency to fill a position within your business:

• Executive search is a process that involves finding and assessing potential candidates for executive-level positions within an organisation, while recruitment agencies are typically used for non executive positions.
• Executive search consultants have a higher level of expertise and require a bigger investment than recruitment agencies so are best used for the most important roles in your business.
• The goal of executive search is to find the best possible candidate for the job, while the goal of recruitment is usually to find a suitably qualified and experienced candidate as quickly as possible.

In conclusion, it is important to understand the difference between executive search and recruitment in order to make the best decision for your company.

If you are looking to fill a senior level executive position, then an executive search company is going to be more suitable. If you need to fill lower to mid-level positions, then a recruitment firm will likely be able to help you.

It is not so much a case of executive search vs recruitment, as they can both be useful depending on the position you're hiring for. Using both an executive search consultancy and recruitment agencies in your hiring strategy will ensure that you find the most qualified candidates for each position, regardless of its level within your organisation.

The Works Search is an executive search consultancy for the corporate communications sector with a passion to source high performing senior level corporate communications professionals and place them into permanent roles in and around London.

If you'd like to find out more about partnering with us in your search for the best candidates in senior positions at your company, please get in touch.

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