Step 2: Managing Expectations

businessman leader

The most valuable tool in successfully completing a search is the development of a clear understanding of the position from the beginning of the assignment. Meeting with key managers to develop a complete understanding of the functional responsibilities of the successful candidate is essential.

Assessing the organization's personality and culture is also critical. For each assignment, a written position narrative is developed jointly by Shulman Associates and the hiring managers. This narrative often requires several revisions, which contribute significantly to the efficiency of the search process. By working with our clients as partners, all parties involved in the search are often in sync about what will make a good fit.

“Regardless of whether your job specs are completed by in-house professionals, outside consultants, or a combination of the two, it’s important to remember that companies can waste valuable time by not concentrating adequate attention on the job specifications in the early stages of a search. If this is not accomplished, companies can encounter several problems including trying to put too many functionalities into one job or miscalculating what kinds of skills are required. Without adequate assessment up front, companies can get a false start in finding their talent and will need to start over once the adjustments are made. In order to avoid this, we at Shulman Associates advise our clients to bring us in as early as possible when they initiate an executive search.”
- Excerpts from Shulman Associates' article in Employment Relations Today. To read completed article, “When to Use an Executive Search Firm and How to Get the Most Out of the Relationship”.
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