What are your rights as a candidate of an executive search process?

What are your rights and obligations as a candidate? You can expect the following from a member firm of the Association of Executive Search Consultants such as Alder Koten.

In an unregulated profession, it’s vital that senior executives work with consultants who respect a candidate’s confidentiality. The shortest possible route to absolute confidence that you are speaking with a trusted executive search firm is to determine whether the firm is a member of Association of Executive Search Consultants (AESC). If so, the candidate can be assured that the firm has been carefully vetted and subscribes to the highest ethics and standards in the profession.

I. FULL DISCLOSURE

Once you have been identified as a candidate for an executive position, the firm/consultant will provide full and open disclosure on the nature of the position and client organization.

II. EXCLUSIVITY

The firm/consultant has an exclusive agreement with the client organization, authorized by the client to find an individual who is a precise fit for a specific position. Without this exclusive agreement, executive level candidates could find their resumes floated to random clients, or as part of a large pool of undifferentiated candidates.

III. CONFIDENTIALITY

The unintended disclosure of an executive’s interest in a new position can be highly disruptive—even catastrophic. The executive search firm/consultant protects the confidentiality of the candidate’s interest and other information.

IV. COMMUNICATION

Because of the high-stakes nature of senior executive turnover, an executive search assignment frequently takes several months. Out of respect for the candidate, the search consultant will provide timely progress updates as the search progresses, and will be highly responsive to candidate inquiries. The consultant will also provide an honest appraisal of where the candidate does and does not seem to be a fit, and will be forthcoming if the client chooses to end the candidacy.

V. PROFESSIONALISM

Executive search assignments are conducted at the highest levels, and candidates for these roles have pressing demands on their time. A professional firm or consultant will treat every candidate with professionalism.

CONCLUSION

Many candidates find the search process very rewarding, regardless of the outcome. With the guidance of a top executive search firm, candidates have the chance to explore their own interests and aptitudes, and even hone their interview and negotiation skills. In the end, it’s always a win. A candidate either has a new challenge within a new organization, or has become a known entity to a reputable search firm, which could open other doors.