Not all executive recruiters are created equal. An effective recruiter can be an invaluable asset, acting as an extension of your team. However, selecting the wrong one can result in a C-level hiring disaster. To help you find the right recruiter for your needs, look for these traits:

A successful track record

The best indicator of an executive recruiter’s ability is a proven track record. When you ask about their past experience, inquire specifically about individual placements completed, rather than the firm’s successful placements as a whole. After all, you are going to be working with a specific recruiter, not the entire search firm.

When assessing a recruiter, ask about their completion ratio and average time to complete placements. You should be looking for a completion ratio of more than two thirds, which is the industry average. Likewise, the average time to fill a position in a retained search is approximately 180 days, but top recruiters can deliver in less than that.

Industry knowledge

Choose an executive recruiter who knows your industry and your functional area. A successful track record is important, but even more important is a recruiter’s ability to navigate the landscape that is specific to the position and the needs of your company.

A focus on fit

An executive recruiter should be focusing on your organization’s culture so they can find a candidate who fits well within it. They know that successful candidates must not only have the appropriate skill level, but their personality should be in synch with the company’s culture. As a result, a top recruiter will ask questions about your work environment; your company’s mission, vision and code of ethics; and common traits top performers share.

Resilience

Executive searches are not easy. Finding strong candidates can take hundreds of phone calls, emails, meetings and connections. Oftentimes, recruiters must also source passive candidates who are comfortable in their current positions. The best executive recruiters know they have to persevere in order to succeed in their search.

Passion

Select a recruiter that has the passion and the energy to find exceptional candidates. If your recruiter doesn’t come across as enthusiastic when speaking with a prospective candidate, then the candidate won’t be interested in your opportunity.

A final tip when searching for an executive recruiter: Connect with two or three of the recruiter’s previous clients. Ask them what it was like to work with the recruiter and whether they’d hire them again.

Also talk with a few of the recruiter’s placements. Ask them how well the recruiter communicated the opportunity to them and whether they kept the candidate informed during the process. By evaluating the experience of other companies and candidates with a particular recruiter, you can better ascertain whether the executive recruiter has the right skills and experience to meet your needs.

Looking for executive recruiters in the Sacramento, CA area? Contact Pacific ExecSearch. Our team of expert recruiters has extensive experience in sourcing, evaluating and helping companies hire mission critical professionals for top positions.

To learn more about how we can help your organization, please contact us today.