Characteristics of a Top Retained Legal Search Consultant
/The best executive legal search consultants are many things, and you can and should hold them to the highest of standards
Retained search consultants are becoming more and more common in the legal profession, and for a good reason. Companies and candidates alike want to reduce the trial and error associated with filling executive-level legal positions, and ultimately have an easier time finding “the right fit.”
But when you are looking for a retained search consultant to help you either fill a role on your in-house legal team or place you in your next position, choose with care. Not all executive search consultants are created equal. And similar to any professional relationship, it is crucial that you trust and are comfortable with the firm and consultant that you choose to work with.
Here are 9 characteristics that you should expect from your retained search consultant:
1. Industry experts
The top executive search consultants have a deep understanding of their field and are considered to be thought leaders in their industry. They speak at industry events and cultivate a wide network of respected industry influencers.
When looking for a retained search consultant, check their website and read their blog. Are they regularly writing about relevant and current industry news? Are they active in the legal community? Choosing consultants who take a personal interest in the industry in which they serve will help ensure their personal level of commitment to the search.
2. Great communication skills
Executive search consultants must have the ability to effectively communicate with different types of people and adapt their communication style to their audience. Both face-to-face interactions and other direct communication (email, phone, etc.) should be clear, concise, and polite. Remember, your search consultant bridges the gap between candidate and company, and effective communication is key when representing both sides.
3. Talented listener
Some of the most important information can be accessed by simply listening, and top legal search consultants are just as good at listening as they are communicating. When considering a search consultant, pay attention to the questions that they ask and, subsequently, how intently they listen to your answer.
Good listening skills allow a consultant to really understand the needs and requirements of a role before starting their research, and also allow them to obtain important feedback from candidates to help assess if they are the right cultural fit. Claiming to understand pertinent details without actually hearing them is a red flag that shouldn’t be ignored.
4. Eye for detail
Successful search consultants have a sharp eye for detail. They must possess the ability to extract top talent from a vast pool, spot errors on job descriptions and resumes, and identify even the slightest indicators of a mismatch between client and candidate.
5. Flexible and highly organized
Executive search consultants are tasked with handling multiple responsibilities at the same time, like meeting with clients, searching for candidates, reviewing resumes, assessing skills, and tracking the overall search and placement processes. Priorities shift, urgent matters arise, and deadlines move. A professional must be able to calmly handle all of these moving targets while staying intently focused on the pertinent details and the desired outcomes.
6. Perseverance
A strong search consultant is determined, persistent, and prepared to do what it takes to find and recruit even passive candidates into the right roles. This means working outside of standard business hours and going above and beyond to develop rapport with the right people.
7. Tech-savvy
The use of technology is no longer an impressive “nice-to-have” when dealing with executive-level recruiting and search. Between LinkedIn and other social networking sites, both candidates and clients are conducting most of their professional lives via technology. Effective search consultants not only stay up-to-date with emerging technologies, but they implement and utilize the best recruiting software to help efficiently conduct their day-to-day processes.
8. Highly ethical
Top search consultants are highly ethical and consider integrity a core value. As a candidate, you should feel comfortable entrusting your search consultant with confidential information. Unfortunately, there are some agencies that practice unethical business methods and place more value on achieving financial gains than they do on what’s best for the client or candidate. When working with an executive search consultant, make sure that they are solely focused on your long-term success, as opposed to their near-term financial goals.
9. Trusted advisor
Not only should you feel comfortable trusting your search consultant with confidential information, but you should also feel confident that they can appropriately advise you on matters like compensation, succession planning, market information, and more. If you have doubts about their ability to provide valuable guidance where needed, then you’ll be best served looking elsewhere.
The best executive search consultants are many things—thought leaders, counselors, multi-taskers, and data crunchers—and they can be of unparalleled value to both a business client and the candidate. They should have a passion for their job and a drive to learn and work hard. And you can and should hold them to the highest of standards.
Carrington Legal Search is devoted to finding the ideal candidates for our clients’ recruitment needs. We have experience in most industries but have particular expertise in the Financial Services (banking, insurance, investment management, etc.) and Technology verticals. To make our nationwide network work for you, get in touch at 512-627-7467 or email carrie@carringtonlegal.com.