The Professional's Search Process

Initial Contact
Your first step should be to call the search consultant and discuss what your career aspirations are. This would include your requirements regarding the opportunity, compensation, geographic preferences and any other pertinent information. You can then send your current resume to give the consultant more detailed information about your background. 

Qualification
The search consultant will assess your qualifications and determine whether you have the necessary background and credentials that his clients require.

Presentation to Client
When an appropriate search is started by the firm, the consultant will reach out to explain the specifics of the opportunity. 

  • It is appropriate to ask in-depth questions at this point about growth prospects, job description, department staffing and other client company information. 
  • Work with the consultant to provide the best information about your background to their client so that the client can make an informed decision regarding an interview.

Interview Preparation
  • Make a time with the consultant to discuss the interview 1 or 2 days before.
  • The discussion should include background information on the people you will interview with, the job description, company information, interview tips and advice on issues of concern.

The Interview
  • The interview may be more important and more rewarding than any other meeting you have ever been to before. Handle it with the respect it deserves.
  • Work with the consultant to arrange a time to interview where you will feel no pressure to get back to work and can concentrate on the meetings.
  • Let the search consultant know when you are planning on taking business trips or vacations to facilitate the interview process
  • Be yourself and treat the first interview as an opportunity to impress your new potential employer. 
  • Before leaving an interviewer’s office ask for a business card so that you can write a letter to that person later if you like. 
  • Call the Search Consultant with Feedback immediately following the interview. 

The Offer
If your interviews were successful, the employer will either make an offer directly to the candidate or to the search consultant. Before making an offer the employer usually will seek information from both the search consultant and the candidate in order to make a fair and well-received offer. 

  • The search consultant and candidate can then discuss the merits of the offer and the correct action at this time. 
  • Your search consultant can help with analysis of the offer and what the proper strategy is for handling a specific offer.
  • Set a reasonable start date taking into consideration your new employer's interests. 
  • There is a professional way to give notice to your current employer - speak to your search consultant about this strategy.  

First Impressions
  • First impressions are important; your search consultant can help prepare you for that first day. 
  • Familiarize yourself with your new employers' policies.
  • Get involved as soon as possible in company functions to get a chance to meet with other employees.