The labor market is hot, and it is no longer companies that have the best cards in their hands. Maybe you have already experienced having to settle for the best of few, but where you really wanted something more?

Today, you can't count on finding the best candidate in a field of applicants who comes from an ad campaign. That time is long gone. In the same way, there is a huge difference between recruitment companies and their ability to attract the absolute best candidates to a company.

Don’t you just show us the same people?

No, absolutely not... The headhunter, and the brand of the headhunter company, as well as the ability to enter into dialogue with the candidates at all, is absolutely crucial. Otherwise, you will never get access to the best candidates. Major differences, long term networking, deep market insight and investment in knowing the market, is absolutely crucial for your business in the short and long term. Skilled leaders and managers know, that the people they look to hire must be more skilled than themselves, at least for the specific function to be filled.

Therefore, it is also crucial that you partner with a recruitment company that fits the task. For the vast majority of positions today, there is a very small selection of candidates who meet all the wishes and requirements you may have for that particular profile. Requirements that you are absolutely allowed to wish, and should mostly be fulfilled. Demands that you, together with your experienced headhunter, can define as realistic.

Taking great care of the candidates…

Your partner represents your company in the market, and therefore the partnership and cooperation is extremely important. Make sure that your headhunter approaches the collaboration with the candidates carefully and professionally. Making sure that the candidates feel well treated and that they have good and easy contact with your headhunter. Therefore, choose your recruitment partner with great care and be sure you trust your partner. You need to make sure that it is actually a headhunting company, and not just an advertiser. Make sure that the company has a good brand in the market, most importantly also towards the candidates, so you are sure they can get the candidates in dialogue, and represent you and your company properly.

Your headhunter must match the level of the assignment...

By having a professional research team that is used to identifying, and in collaboration with experienced consultants and their vast network, creating a confidential dialogue with the candidates. This ensures you contact and interest with the best candidates. Then comes an extensive process of dialogue, meetings, interviews, and depending on the specific task, various assessments. All to ensure the right process of the candidate in relation to the position you need to fill. Just as the speed of the process can be of crucial importance to you.

If you want to have candidates who are sharper, more skilled and much harder to get in touch with, you need a headhunter with a good reputation and quality network who can find those candidates and bring them to you.

It is precisely these candidates who help secure the future of your company. Using the right headhunter is your investment in your company's future, earnings and growth. Most likely also the key to reaching your own goals, personally and of your company.

Written by Kim Tapping, Partner and Headhunter, Birn+Partners