Why Search?
If you feel confident that you can fill your vacancy with the best available talent within a decent time frame by working with a database recruiter then perhaps you do not need to conduct a Search. However, we would contend that you can't take this route with any guarantee that you have definitely seen all of the best of the available talent - you have seen the best of the available talent on selected databases at a certain time, which is quite a different matter. Furthermore, your competition can enjoy the same access to these candidates. And all of our research points to the fact that positions are not consistently filled within decent time frames - far from it.
Whilst we are exploding a few myths, at Langdale we do not feel Search need be limited to "Executive" positions - it is effective wherever demand for talent is high and the readily available supply of that talent is low. Furthermore, we have no time for the stuffiness and pretension which can come packaged with some Search firms. We're not like that: we are down to earth and unpretentious, yet we attempt to work intelligently and professionally.
So here are five key reasons to choose search:
1. Exhaustive Scope and Attracting Passive Candidates
No other form of recruitment can guarantee that everyrelevant prospect will "hear" your message as comprehensively as Search can. By covering the whole of the market Search offers the greatest chance of filling your vacancy with the best candidate. Estimates vary, but it is said that between 50% and 60% of the workforce are not actively seeking new employment but do keep an "open mind" to new opportunities - they are "poised" to hear about outstanding opportunities, but not pro actively looking for jobs. They do not register with database recruiters, they do not reply to adverts, but they will react positively to the right approach about a great opportunity.
2. Search Attracts the Best
What differentiates you and allows you to provide the best service to your customers and stakeholders is your people; therefore having the best and brightest talent is critical to your success. Great candidates do not sit on databases - they find new employment quickly. Search allows you to identify and target the very best of the market - it allows you to recruit those who you really want, rather than those you are merely prepared to settle for.
3. Search Offers Greater Exclusivity
Having worked at database recruiters, we can tell you how it works. It's a business model where the consultancy will often attempt to maximise their chances of making a placement by sending a candidate's to a wide number of clients and prospective clients. If you are one of these organisations which receive the ideal CV, you are then invariably in a fight for this candidate's services and thus your chances of securing them are reduced. Or the candidate registers with more than recruiter and an unseemly game of "I sent their CV first" ensues - which does not benefit you or the candidate. Database recruitment works on a simple law of averages - the more people to whom a candidate's CV is sent, the higher the chance of the placement. Similarly, candidates applying via job boards are likely to apply for a number of vacancies. All in all it is a muddled picture where you have little control.
When you work with Langdale Search & Selection on a Gold Search, the candidate's details will not be sent to anyone else. With greater exclusivity you improve your chances of filling your position with the desired candidate.
4. Gain Competitive Advantage
Most organisations work in very competitive environments. Boldly, it is possible to employ Search to target competitors to hire their people and gain market share. We appreciate that this a very aggressive approach, but some may want to use it gain a foothold in a market, grow turnover and meet clients' needs. Furthermore, as Search can fill vacancies more pro actively and quickly, it can allow you to fill vacancies before your competitors in areas of high and universal demand - thereby giving you a distinct competitive advantage. Recruitment is also about marketing, and Search can be (if you so choose) a great method of getting positive messages about your organisation out into the market place.
5. Search is Faster
Other methods just don't work, or at least not often or effectively enough! We remain to be convinced that recruitment advertising works for a wide number of roles. We remain to be convinced that top talent scours job boards (which tend to be not particularly user friendly, in any case) and we have already written about the effectiveness of database led methods. We have surveyed the market for months and we are shocked at the high numbers of positions which remain vacant for month after month. Search can offer a more direct, assertive and ultimately more effective method of recruitment which leads to successful hires being made more quickly than through other methods of recruitment.
Why Langdale Search & Selection?
We appreciate that we are not alone and that there are other Search firms focussing on the Legal Profession. So why use us? Our focus is specific to the Regions. We have a defined "Off Limits" policy (see below). We have many years of experience in Search & Selection. Most importantly, we have a process - we can demonstrate how we work, what we do, the mechanics of it and why those details matter - how they combine to fill vacancies. Too many recruitment companies "do recruitment" - they cannot define their process and how it benefits you; they leave too much to chance. Finally, we firmly believe that when a client engages with us, they grow to like us as we grow to like them! It may sound trite, but working with us can be a pleasant experience! We believe that these reasons are why you should partner with us.
The Langdale Search & Selection "Off Limits" Policy
If you are "off limits" it means that we will not actively headhunt from you. You are off limits for the nine months from the last date on which we last invoiced you. You are off limits if we are currently engaged in an assignment with you and for which we have signed Terms of Business with you. WE will not headhunt from a Department or Office which falls into these categories.
