The Candidate's Bill of Rights | « back
As retained search consultants, we are under contract to provide clients qualified candidates for senior level positions. We also believe we have a professional, ethical, and personal relationship as well as definite responsibilities to the candidates whom we present. This relationship is characterized by honesty, objectivity, accuracy, respect, and confidentiality. Listed below are the key elements that candidates can expect from us:
- Confidentiality - When you become a candidate for one of our clients, we realize you put yourself at risk with your current employer. For this reason, you are entitled to the highest level of confidentiality; and to safeguard your confidentiality, we will:
- Not contact references provided by you without your permission.
- Not discuss your potential candidacy with anyone outside the search firm.
- Caution the client to also safeguard your confidentiality.
- Full Disclosure - You need to know as much as possible about us, the position, and our client, including:
- The nature and requirements of the position.
- The compensation package.
- Pertinent information regarding the client organization.
- Timely Communication - The completion of an executive search assignment can often take several months, with many steps between initial contact and ultimate hiring of the successful candidate. Once you become an active candidate, we will communicate with you in a timely manner every step of the process.
- Feedback - We will give you an honest appraisal of where you fit relative to the opportunity. Also, if any client decides not to proceed with your candidacy, we will provide as complete an explanation of the client's decision as possible.
- Professional Treatment - We will maintain a high level of professionalism with each candidate. We will:
- Give you a clear understanding of the position and the client's expectations of it.
- Conduct an organized, well thought-out interview.
- Answer all your questions in an honest and forthright manner.
- Adequate Process Details - As a candidate, we ensure you know what to expect as the process unfolds. Be prepared at any stage in the proceedings to ask:
- Who do I have to meet with before a decision is made?
- What time frame is the client working on?
- What is the next step?
- Respect for Your Time and Position - We understand that, as a senior level executive, your current position demands your full time and attention. When scheduling appointments and interviews, we and the client will respect your time, position, and responsibilities to your employer.
- No Pressure - The best search results happen when the candidate has time to make a measured, well thought-out decision. We will never try to hurry your decision or put undue pressure to accept an offer. We will also keep you informed of any deadlines imposed by the client.
- A Trusting Relationship - We will conduct ourselves in a manner befitting these guiding principals, which will develop an open and trusting relationship between us.
The Candidate's Bill of Rights...a final word
Concluding the Search - If the client decides to hire you to fill the position, you have arrived at one of the most important stages of the search process: negotiation of your employment agreement. This can involve highly sensitive issues in which we can play a crucial role of intermediary to ensure open and effective communication as well as express any concerns or special requirements that you may have on terms and conditions.
It is our practice to stay in touch with you for three to twelve months to make sure that your transition into the new position is a success and encourage you to contact us with major concerns that arise.
Putting Your Best Foot Forward - The executive search process is not a one-way street. Although you have a right to expect courteous, professional treatment from the client and us, there are a number of things you can do to facilitate the process and advance your standing:
- Be honest - Under no circumstances should you inflate your resume, misrepresent your work history, or "hold some cards back." Also, be genuine about your interest (or lack of) in the position. Complete and accurate disclosure by the candidate is an essential element in the search process.
- Be flexible - Make every effort to fit appointments and interviews within your schedule.
- Educate yourself - Conduct your own due diligence on us and our client organization.
- Have realistic expectations - Understand that the process takes time and that you will be one of several qualified candidates.
- Negotiate in good faith - Do not lead us to believe you are negotiating only with them if you are considering offers from more than one organization.
- Remember that our job is to present several qualified candidates to the client, and it is the client who makes the ultimate decision.