7 Ways to Find Top Nonprofit Executive Search Firms

What do you do if you’re a Board Chair who has simply acquired note of your Executive Director’s resignation or retirement? Or what if you’re an Executive Director who has simply found out that your Development Director may be leaving? If it’s a crucial or hard-to-fill position, your first step might be to accomplice with a professional executive search firm – but how do you discover the right one?

In this digital age of statistics, you will have no shortage of options on the subject of recruiters. The mission is regularly sorting thru all of them to pick out which seek firms are without a doubt informed and reputable with regards to your hiring needs. As a first step, you may need to locate businesses that have successful track records filling nonprofit management positions, which require an unprecedented blend of competencies and persona developments to withstand the pains of mission-driven work.

 

Here are a simple few guidelines for wherein to appearance with regards to finding seek firms focusing on recruiting for nonprofit companies:

1. Online Information Hubs

Many human beings evidently look to Google to locate what they need. The net is a fantastic resource, however, be aware that now not all records are accurate or legit. Certain companies regularly create lists of ‘pinnacle seek companies’ in reality to feature their very own name to the list and to seem on the first page of Google’s results. Be certain to appear carefully at how any list of top seek companies changed into compiled. For broader pointers and recommendations, take a look at our trustworthy websites from reputable businesses that offer numerous suggestions for nonprofits and Board Members, such as Bridgespan or BoardSource. You’ll locate information about govt transition planning, reimbursement studies, and more. To get started, test out “A Nonprofit Organization’s Guide to Engaging a Search Firm”.

2. Trusted Nonprofit Search Networks

Like nonprofits, well seek corporations also form networks to share first-class practices and adhere to a code of ethics. The Network of Nonprofit Search Consultants (NNSC) is a professional employer comprised of a number of the main search consultants inside the United States and Canada. All contributors specialize in providing retained search offerings for nonprofit corporations.

3. Nonprofit Affiliates or Alliances for Organizations

Compile a brief list of your nonprofit’s affiliations and memberships. Depending on your quarter, your enterprise may belong to an alliance of peer agencies that share a commonplace vision or cause. For example, organizations that serve youngsters and households regularly belong to the Alliance for Strong Families and Communities. Contact statewide nonprofit associations or maybe a national community of similar organizations to look if any have enjoyed running with seeking companies.

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4. Professional Membership Associations for Individuals

Reach out to professional corporations geared toward nonprofit executives and/or fundraisers. Some examples consist of the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP), the Association for Healthcare Philanthropy (AHP), Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE), or the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE) – just to call a few. Depending on the placement you're filling, it may be helpful to approach respected peers in that field. Some may additionally have direct revel in hiring seek firms or even operating with them as candidates.

5. Job Postings

Check out nonprofit job boards to see if recruiting companies are advertising for Executive Directors or Development Directors on your region or area. Examples include the career sections inside The Nonprofit Times, Philanthropy News Digest and Chronicle of Philanthropy. If a recruiter is involved, a link to start the software process typically results in their enterprise’s internet site as opposed to the nonprofit’s website. Be positive to reach out to the client businesses to listen to direct feedback about their experience with specific corporations whenever possible.

6. Connective Community Forces

Most metropolitan areas have clearinghouses that provide assistance to nonprofits as well as the broader community. For example, your neighborhood or local United Way can be capable of sharing a listing of similar organizations that have used search corporations for key management positions inside the past. Community foundations and faith-based totally federations can also be assets when it comes to identifying nonprofit executive search companies. Even if they have no longer worked with a recruiter without delay, they will be able to offer you with names of organizations to contact without delay.

7. Personal Recommendations

Don’t overlook to ask for advice and pointers to seeking companies in your very own social circles. Word-of-mouth suggestions may be very valuable, especially if their search changed into a comparable enterprise or position. To join the dots, browse your LinkedIn connections to see who has served as an Executive Director or Board Member for similar groups. Simply attain out to a team of workers or Board participants at the one's locations who may also have interacted at once with a firm to be able to gain non-public perception about their experience.

Once you’ve advanced a shortlist of search companies to consider, the next step is to in my view contact each enterprise to describe your scenario and see who's the excellent fit. You’ll want to invite approximately their enjoy running with nonprofit agencies and their recruiting style, in addition to their rate structure and timeline. Also, ask approximately any guarantees they provide to make sure the fulfillment of your new hire.

 

Why Hire an Executive Search Firm?

Hiring talent is something that affects every business and every level of management. The ability to recruit great talent is key to the ultimate success, or failure, of a business. However, there are certain roles that can be particularly difficult to fill. In these scenarios, there are times when it can be incredibly valuable for an organization to partner with an outside search firm.

The Harvard Business Review has stated that over 80% of employee turnover can be attributed to poor hiring choices.  Similar research conducted by the US Department of Labor states that the price of a bad hire is 30% of the employee’s first-year earnings at a minimum. As the position becomes more impactful to the business, this number increases exponentially. Our own research estimates the true long term cost of a bad hire to be $211,000 based on a $95,000 salary.  Most companies would agree that given these numbers they may want to think twice about their own hiring practices. Taking steps to avoid making costly hiring mistakes may begin with internal processes but it also may result in consideration of hiring a professional search firm. 

Here are just 6 common scenarios that make working with  executive search firms a very intelligent and profitable decision for your company: 

 
 
 
 
 
True Cost of a Bad Hire Graph
 
 
 
 
 
88%
 
 

of our business is repeat business

 
 
 
 
 
 
94%
 
 

of our candidates are headhunted from their current positions

 
 
 
 
87%
 
 

faster than industry average

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

1. Time Lost is Opportunity Cost:

The need to allocate internal resources to conduct a high profile search can prohibit a business from growing as it needs to. Instead of running operations, handling employee relations, building partnerships with new businesses, or otherwise performing at the peak of their ability, business leaders are occupied with the job search. What is the cost of missed opportunity for your company? Time is money, remember that yours is valuable.

 

2. The Role is Beyond Internal Expertise:

Often times leadership roles are the toughest to recruit for due to the fact that there may not be an internal team member who can fully appreciate and understand the role. If they cannot fully grasp the challenges of the role, it will make the process extremely difficult to define the parameters, recruit talent, and make a sound decision. Because the role is outside the internal recruiter or business leader’s own knowledge base, it will be very difficult to fully assess a candidate’s answers in an interview and determine the right fit for the company.

 

3. Internal Resources are Limited:

Not all companies have the luxury of having a dedicated Talent Acquisition department. Even if they do, this may not be an expansive team. HR departments do so much more than hiring, they are responsible for employee relations, benefits, compliance, training, etc. which are absolutely vital to an organization running properly. With a finite amount of time and resources, HR departments are often stretched too thin and good talent can slip through the cracks. Both from a time and a workload perspective, there are situations when the resources must be ruthlessly allocated. If the role has been unfilled for an inordinate amount of time, or the internal HR department is already near or at capacity, a difficult position to recruit for is not going to receive the attention it warrants. Instead of making the decision to permanently hire new personnel for what may be a temporary influx of hiring needs, partner with a reputable search firm. A search firm deals solely with recruiting talent and has mastered a myriad of tools and strategies needed to hunt down the best possible talent for any position. Does your internal team have the resources needed to find the perfect candidates for every needed position?

 

4. The Role is New or Needs to be Rebuilt:

New roles are particularly difficult to recruit for because, typically, there is no benchmark to serve as a point of reference when determining the skills and temperament needed. This is also true for roles in which the predecessor was unsuccessful, and the role will need to be redefined/department rebuilt, etc. The need for guidance increases exponentially when the position falls outside the standard scope or target profile at other companies. Generally, successful companies find themselves in this position and quickly lean on the experience of an executive recruitment firm.

 

5. The Role is Very Impactful:

Logically, the negative impact of a poor hire only increases with the level of influence a position has within a company. Successfully finding a leader who will define strategy, work with other departments and create processes which will affect future decisions is something that should be carefully considered. The cost of a bad hire in this situation can be astronomical and in some cases can take years to recover from. Conversely, making a great hire can have a positive ripple effect throughout a company for years to come. The problem is that internal teams and business leaders are not always able to look in the same places a headhunter can. Doesn’t your company deserve the best talent to lead the way?

 

6. Internal and External Confidentiality:

When an internal search needs to be kept confidential from staff, partnering with an executive search firm is an obvious solution. What many business leaders tend to overlook is the need for the search to remain confidential to outsiders as well. Because they will be calling on behalf of the company, internal resources immediately alert any person they speak with that change is on the horizon at the company. Only a search firm will be able to speak with interested candidates who may currently be working in the industry, or possibly at a competitor, without divulging the identity of the company to every person with whom they speak.

SO WHY HIRE A SEARCH FIRM?

Because your company needs to win the battle for the most talented professionals. Because an internal team recruits with a limited field of view, lack of tools, and outdated methods. Because 85% of professionals in today’s job market will consider taking another role for a good offer. Because job boards were ranked least effective for finding high-quality candidates by HR News Daily. And because search firms can view your company as either a client or a pool of talent.

Executive search firm

Executive search firms are organizations that offer the service of investigating potential executive-level employees. When hired, these firms research executives currently working for related businesses that meet the client’s needs. Different organizations frequently use executive search firms when they are considering hiring a new executive and would like to research many options. In some cases, the search firm may also serve as an intermediary and inquire if the chosen executive would be interested in changing companies, as well as hold negotiations, screenings, and establishing contracts. In addition to hiring executive search firms, it is possible to work with a single stand-alone consultant.

CCPA Legislation | Executive Search Firms | Bullhorn

How Executive Search Firms Work

I got approached a few weeks ago about a job that I didn't know existed and by a company I hadn't heard of before. What was strange is that I have thought lately that its time to make a major move. So I was intrigued by the call and how they found me and how they had read my mind.

Apparently finding top talent can be difficult, which is why some corporation's higher executive search firms to help them recruit. Executive search firms are specialized recruitment services that find top-level candidates for senior, executive, or other highly specialized positions for clients. Many clients use them to find candidates that may not be immediately identifiable in the market and, essentially, avoid the cost of a bad hire.

How Top Executive Search Fims Find Candidates - And How To Be Found!

 

How They Find Top-Level Talent

Executive search agents utilize a range of personal contacts in their industry, as well as their in-depth knowledge of their industry, to find suitable candidates for clients. They conduct detailed interviews and then selectively present candidates to their clients.

Executive search firms also help clients draft accurate and enticing job descriptions to draw in a pool of qualified candidates.

Understanding the Different Types of Executive Search Firms

The relationship between a client and executive search firm can be either contingent or retained. Contingent recruiters are paid upon the successful completion of a "search" and retained ones are paid for the process of it.

Contingent search firms rely heavily on their contacts, which is why clients often work with many contingent recruiters at once to maximize the amount of resumes they receive. On the other hand, clients usually go with retained recruiters to find candidates for senior level roles. Clients and retained recruiters generally develop stronger, more long-term business relationships.

Why Clients Use Executive Search Firms

Most corporate companies who decide to use an executive search firm do so because they don't have the internal resources, network, or perhaps even evaluative skills to recruit themselves. Some companies may even use them to recruit from competitors indirectly, allowing them to find candidates they might not have been able to find otherwise.

If you would like to use an executive search firm for your candidate search, is recommended to use a firm that has experience placing candidates in positions similar to your open position.

If you are an executive and looking to make a move make sure to look for a firm that places people in your industry. Let them know you are looking to make a move.

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