View Cameron’s bio here
Cameron Eustice is Managing Director of Executive Search at Robert Half.
With almost 20 years of experience in the realm of executive talent acquisition, Cameron's earned a reputation for excellence. Partnering with Boards, C-suite, and Executive/General Management to deliver superior leadership appointments, Cameron has observed the importance of business succession planning firsthand.
Making a bad hire in your C-suite can have disastrous consequences. There’s an art to finding qualified, top-performing executives and the search for the right candidate can make the process far longer and far tougher.
In almost two decades of executive talent acquisition, I’ve seen countless companies fail to give a C-suite job search the rigour it deserves, with disastrous consequences.
Failing to fill an executive role has negative ramifications on the success of your business and the well-being of an entire department. It’s too high a price to resort to quick, low-cost alternatives like posting a job ad, scouring LinkedIn or hiring a contingency recruiter.
If you’re assessing all your options, here are the reasons that a retained executive search firm may be worth the investment when it comes to finding the ideal talent for your most senior positions.
What is an executive search firm?
An executive search firm is a recruitment company that specialises in sourcing high-quality candidates for executive roles. They differ from contingency search firms in both their approach to candidate sourcing and how closely they work with the client.
Because they are ‘retained’, executive search firms work exclusively with the client, taking the time to assess existing talent within the business and to understand the company culture and facets of the role.
Retained search firms typically use sophisticated vetting techniques and evaluate a successful placement on the longevity of the employee within a role and how large a contribution that employee makes to the company as a whole.
Why work with a retained executive search firm?
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Retained search firm fees are usually higher than the fees of a contingency firm, so it helps to understand what you’re getting for your money before you commit to working with them.
Here’s what working with an executive search firm, like our team at Robert Half, brings to your job search:
1) Access to a high-quality network of executive professionals
If you’ve blown through your list of referrals and network connections and still aren’t able to find an executive candidate that ticks all the boxes, it may be time to call in an executive search firm.
Many retained executive search firms have a global network of contacts across various industries, meaning that the pool of talent they have access to is far larger, far more exclusive and of a far higher quality.
I recently conducted a C-suite search for a global enterprise, engaging directly with three leading global industry experts. These experts were within my network, thanks to my affiliation with a previously placed Executive who was connected to the industry’s membership body. This experience is a clear example of the power of strategic networking. It's a helpful example to demonstrate why maintaining strong, strategic relationships is critical to successful executive search, and something you can only find when working with an Executive Search firm.
2) Some positions are too important not to invest in
The implications of a bad hire so far up the managerial chain are huge. In my experience, top retained search firms are well-practiced in understanding the rare mix of skills, leadership traits, and cultural alignment required for a C-suite position. They can efficiently identify the right fit, whether that’s an internal candidate ready to step up or an external leader with the precise expertise needed.
3) You don’t have the in-house resources
Assessing candidate CVs properly takes time. Scan-reading can mean you lose some of the more intricate details and often don’t get enough time to look through them properly. Search firms deal with CV assessment every day, so they know what to look for in a strong CV, including hard skills, soft skills and personality.
But even if you do have some in-house resources, effective executive search is about more than finding qualified candidates.
It’s about identifying leaders who thrive in your organisation’s culture and bring strategic vision to the table. As one of the leading executive search companies in Australia, we use a bespoke vetting process and industry-specific insights to ensure your next hire exceeds expectations. With our expertise, you’ll make informed hiring decisions that empower your business to achieve its strategic goals and remain competitive.
4) Fill the knowledge gap and gain better diversity
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If you’re recruiting for a position that has been newly created or isn’t within your area of expertise, top head-hunters have the specialist skills to help fill that knowledge gap.
According to the Leaders study conducted by SAP and Oxford Economics, a lack of diverse backgrounds is an issue with senior executives and corporate boards. Executive search firms will conduct original research on all candidates, which in turn brings far greater variety into top-level roles and avoids any unconscious biases that may be held in-house.
5) You want long-term employees
Unlike a contingency hiring firm, who count a hired employee as a success, retained executive search firms calculate success based on the contribution and longevity of their employees.
Several candidates may have the necessary skills on paper, but an executive firm will be able to tell which candidate has the right potential for long-term success and will ultimately contribute to the business’s future growth.
For context, we have successfully filled more than 2,500 key positions in specialist fields and industries all over the world. Almost all (97%) of our retained executive searches result in successful outcomes, whereas the industry average is around 64%.
6) When discretion is paramount
There are occasions in which ultimate discretion is needed, such as hiring a replacement when an executive is still in the role. By outsourcing the task to an executive search firm like Robert Half, you’re relieved of workplace secrecy but still have all the control, trust and transparency of having the job taken care of by someone impartial.
7) Avoid damaging relationships with partner companies or competitors
Hiring through an executive search firm is a good way to avoid damaging relationships with businesses that you often work with or causing tension with a competitor. Hiring from the same pool of talent becomes far less complex when working through a discreet, impartial third party.
8) Succession planning to future-proof your C-suite
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Being prepared for every eventuality is crucial for business stability. Unexpected resignations can cause unwanted disruption within teams and hinder how successful you are at reaching goals.
Hiring an executive search firm to come in and assess your workforce is a reliable way to get a fuller picture of the in-house talent you already have, and it lets you know which options are available to you externally.
Positive by-products of well-managed long-term succession planning are reduced turnover, increased employee engagement and an employer/employee dual commitment to professional and personal development to be ready for future leadership.
What continues to drive me in this work is knowing that behind every successful placement is a team that breathes easier, a strategy that accelerates, and a future that feels more certain. I know how complex and high-stakes these decisions can be, which is why I believe so strongly in the retained search process.
If you're navigating a leadership transition or thinking long-term about succession, let’s have that conversation early. My team and I are here to guide you through it with the care, discretion, and strategic insight that only comes from experience.
Let’s shape your leadership future together.
Get in touch with our retained executive search division today and let us help you find quality talent quickly and efficiently.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What does an executive search firm do?
An executive search firm is a specialised recruitment agency that focuses on placing highly qualified candidates for senior-level, executive, or other specialised positions within an organisation. Executive search firms proactively seek out top talent, including those who may not be actively looking for a new role.
How does executive search differ from recruitment?
Executive search differs from traditional recruitment primarily in its focus on senior-level and highly specialised roles, its approach to identifying and engaging passive candidates, and its more consultative and in-depth partnership with client companies.
What is an example of an executive search firm?
Robert Half
