Whether you’ve been contemplating a career change for months or have found yourself periodically browsing online job boards for new opportunities, there’s a lot that goes into approaching the job search process. Knowing where to begin, determining how to get your résumé noticed, and understanding the kinds of roles that best fit your skill set can often feel like a full-time job — causing many to quit their search before they even begin.

But working with an Executive Recruiter, like those here at ForceBrands, can help you navigate those obstacles. But what exactly does an Executive Recruiter do? And what is executive search? How do executive search firms work? Understanding these fundamental questions will prove helpful as you consider your next level of career growth.

What is an executive search firm?

Before you consider working with an executive search firm, you should understand what executive search firms do. Executive search firms help to identify a specific executive position that can be instrumental in the company’s growth. They then help find candidates who fit the profile and who will be successful hires. How do executive search firms find candidates? Leveraging our niche industry-specialized network, our team at ForceBrands will often send emails to those in our community who we feel would be best-fit applicants for the job. We’ll also use social media, advanced online search techniques, and other resources to find the right candidate for the job.

Why should companies use an executive search firm? Executive search firms are incredibly valuable for taking businesses to the next level, especially as people are a company’s greatest asset.

The difference between an executive search firm and a recruiting firm

Recruiting firms are tasked to fill a large number of roles, rather than focusing on a specific role to fill. ForceBrands offers both executive search and recruiting services — end-to-end hiring solutions for the consumer brand universe.

Partnering with an Executive Recruiter can make the job hunt easier. If you’ve been contemplating whether or not a recruiting company is right for you as you begin your search, we’ve rounded up four of the biggest benefits Executive Recruiters bring to the hiring process.

1. A boost in objectivity

For many job seekers, it can be difficult to judge their qualifications for a certain role. This is especially true when it comes to switching fields or attempting to move up the corporate ladder. You may see a list of skills and experiences that an employer is looking for, but may be unsure how your skills and experiences stack up to the demands of the job.

Executive Recruiters can be an objective third-party in this process. They’re able to look at your résumé, the different skills and experiences you’ve gained in your previous positions, and let you know whether or not they think you’re a viable candidate. On the flip side, Executive Recruiters can also let you know if they think you’re overqualified for the positions you’ve been eyeing (1 in 4 college graduates are currently underemployed), and can encourage you to shoot higher.

2. Negotiation advice and assistance

According to a study, 29 percent of job seekers negotiated their salary at their current or most recent place of employment. Negotiations, whether they’re intended to increase salaries, add more benefits, or receive a different title, can be difficult to approach. Even candidates who are confident that they are worth more than they’re being offered don’t feel comfortable approaching the topic — in fact, 71 percent of the workforce didn’t feel comfortable engaging in a conversation with their employer about a pay raise.

Executive Recruiters can streamline the negotiation process. They act as a go-between for candidates and the company, ensuring that a company gets great value for their money but also ensuring that the job seeker is offered fair compensation, benefits that meet their needs, and a title that fits their skill level. That’s not to say that working with an Executive Recruiter guarantees that you’ll automatically be offered thousands of dollars more annually than if you’d gone it on your own, but it does mean that you’ll have someone else in your corner, helping you fight for the best possible offer.

3. Better interview preparation

Nothing can halt the forward momentum of the hiring process faster than a bad interview. You could look great on paper, with all of the necessary experience and skills, but bombing an interview all but ensures you won’t actually be offered the job. Experts recommend spending at least 10 hours preparing for an interview before you show up, but for many of us, finding that much extra time to prep seems unlikely.

Executive Recruiters who are hiring for a certain company typically have a long history with the employer. They know all the ins and outs, from information about the company’s culture to the skills the company values. A recruiter will be able to share some of that information with you and direct you on how best to prepare. So when it comes time for the big day, candidates can feel confident and ready without feeling as if they’ve sacrificed all of their spare time researching the company from outside sources on their own.

4. Better career prospects

The hidden job market is a very real thing. Many companies will never publically list a job; instead relying on Executive Recruiters, referrals, or an internal promotion to fill the position. Working with an Executive Recruiter can give you access to dozens of roles that you may have never known about otherwise.

Working with an Executive Recruiter can also move you from being just another nameless, faceless applicant for a position, to a real candidate. As you develop a relationship with your recruiting company, they’ll be able to present you as a whole person rather than as a list of accomplishments on a single piece of paper. This will almost always land you a place on the shortlist ahead of the hundreds of other applicants who applied on their own.

Interested in launching a career in the consumer brand universe? Connect with one of our Executive Recruiters to start the conversation.

Executive Recruitment and Search FAQ

How do executive search firms find candidates?
Leveraging our niche industry-specialized network, our team at ForceBrands will often send emails to those in our community who we feel would be best-fit applicants for the job. We’ll also use social media, advanced online search techniques, and other resources to find the right candidate for the job.

Why should companies use an executive search firm?
Executive search firms are incredibly valuable for taking businesses to the next level, especially as people are a company’s greatest asset. Executives are leaders within organizations who have great influence over the success of a company. It’s important to hire thoughtfully for any kind of leadership role.