Position Description
After agreeing on your needs, we prepare a compelling position specification that features company background, responsibilities of the position, qualifications and background required of the candidate, criteria for success, and individual growth potential. Clients and candidates tell us that this electronic marketing-oriented position specification, complete with useful links - which guides our search efforts - is the best document seen from any search firm.

Research/Candidate Targeting
We create original, customized research, identifying sources and prospects and develop a list of organizations where qualified candidates are likely to be found. An extensive list of potential candidates is collected through our personal networks, databases of individuals, organizations and other trusted sources - collected, tracked, and continually updated.

Candidate Identification
At this phase, most search firms start calling their sources and prospects before sending the position description. We don't. We take a proven direct marketing approach. To heighten marketplace awareness and increase the response rate to your search, we email your unique opportunity before calling - using established attention-getting tactics, and then follow up-aggressively, by phone. This approach attracts a significantly higher number of potential candidates than conventional methods.

Candidate Evaluation & Interviews
Candidate prospects are evaluated by us and often by the client through in-depth telephone interviews. Those making the cut are subjected to psychometric assessment testing which provides a better understanding of a candidate's personality style and temperament. This testing procedure also helps measure chemistry and best cultural fit within your organization. Most search firms do not provide this valued service. In consultation with our client, a face-to-face meeting is then set up with ESI and those qualified individuals to further assess suitability.

Presentation of Candidates
Before meeting the finalists, our clients receive confidential written reports detailing individual key competencies measured against the position specifications, motivation, salary and benefits history - and personality profiles on only the outstanding candidates.

Candidate & Client Interviews
We arrange the meetings between the client and each candidate, including travel details, and contact both parties immediately after the interview for timely feedback.

Reference Checking
Once the final candidate or short list of candidates is selected - and with the candidate's permission, we conduct thorough and detailed reference checking. We talk to numerous individuals: bosses, peers, subordinates, customers - those with direct knowledge and insight regarding the candidate's leadership abilities, integrity, technical competence, achievements, and personal characteristics. This includes verifying academic credentials as well as any other special security or background reports required by the client.

Extending The Offer & Completing The Search
Once you have decided that an offer should be made to the selected candidate, we can often play an important role by bringing the two parties together. Our expertise includes assisting you in structuring the compensation and benefits package, counseling on negotiations both to you and the candidate, and serving as an intermediary to resolve questions or details to everyone's satisfaction. This includes resignation and counter-offer counseling, concerns by spouse and family, and relocation assistance.

Staying In Touch
With the successful candidate now on board, we will stay in touch with both you and the candidate to maintain a smooth transition and the continued satisfaction of both parties.

Guarantee & Stick Rate
Executive Search International has a one-year free replacement guarantee and will never recruit a placement. And you should know that our completion and "stick rate" ratio is 95%, in contrast to the 50% to 60% averages reported by many "big-name" firms.