Candidates
It often happens when you least expect it. Out of the blue, you receive a phone call from an executive search firm, wanting to know if you might have an interest in a position they are recruiting for a client.
The opportunity seems promising, but you don't know what to expect. What does the process entail? How long will it take? What will the search firm expect from you? Most important, what are your rights and obligations during the process? As a potential search candidate, you are entitled to ask these questions and to have them answered.
In retained executive search, a specialised form of consulting, consultants endeavour to provide qualified candidates for clients who wish to fill senior-level positions. Although contractual obligations exist between the search firm and the client, search consultants also build professional and ethical relationships with candidates, whom they may remain in contact with over a period of years.
Ccentric seeks to establish professional relationships with candidates that are characterised by honesty, objectivity, accuracy and respect for confidentiality. It is important to know that you do not become a search candidate until you have expressed an interest in the position, and the consultant has conducted an initial evaluation of your suitability for the position.
We will provide candidates with relevant and accurate information about the client organisation and the position.
We will only provide a candidate's resume or other confidential data to a client with the candidate's prior consent. We will provide an "honest" broker channel of communication and advice for both the client and candidate during the search process, including the sensitive job offer stage. We will advise candidates in a timely fashion of the status of their candidature at each step of the search process. This includes proactive updates initiated by the search consultant as well as responding in a timely manner to any inquiries instigated by you.
We will observe the principles of equal opportunity in employment and avoid unlawful discrimination against qualified candidates.
If the search consultant conducts him or herself in a manner befitting these guiding principles, you should naturally develop an open and trusting relationship.