Insights

This is my most enjoyable part of a search process. I know if we get this right, the rest of the search process is so much easier, faster, and we’ll nail the search. If you are investing money in a search process for a critical business hire, it’s also essential that you invest the appropriate time with your search partner at the start of the process, as we call it, the Kick-Off meeting, to ensure the best chance of success. 

The kick-off meeting, or assignment briefing meeting, is essential to an effective search process. It covers a lot of ground, but good candidates, the passive ones not searching for a job, ask these questions. Us knowing the answers reflects well on us both, and makes for a positive impression and momentum. This meeting covers: 

• The background and culture of the business 

• The background on why the role is open 

• A thorough understanding of the role – alignment on the job description 

• What impact will this role have on the business. What is the opportunity for the candidate? 

• A thorough understanding of the person profile required for the role 

• Full details of the remuneration package 

• Agreement on the search process: timescales, how the client likes to be updated on progress, interview process, decision making process, key stakeholders involved, any confidentiality considerations.  

There’s a lot of information to cover, especially if this is the first time working together. This is an opportunity for your search partner to really get under the skin of the business. For us this is typically a 90 minute meeting or call. It’s the best investment you’ll make. 

Don’t gloss over the details. 

This is a chance to be very specific about topics like culture, mindset, values, expectations, tasks, team and compensation. Also defining the interview and decision-making process, who is involved, at what stage and when. The importance of this is a whole article in itself. On the kick-off meeting you can make sure there’s full alignment and no grey areas when it comes to expectations and what it is exactly that you are looking for and why. No one wants surprises at the end of a process.