search process

Hawksmoor’s search methodology is thorough and meticulous. Ensuring success requires a concentration on detail from the very first stages of the search to the appointment of the best candidate – and beyond.

briefing

We spend as much time as possible with our clients discussing the background to a search requirement. A comprehensive briefing enables us to understand the context of the appointment – why it has arisen, what our client is aiming to achieve, how the successful candidate will contribute to the strategy of the business. Often this will involve meeting many different people in our client’s organisation to gain a composite picture of the environment of the role. As well as the lead search consultant, the associate who will lead the research project will also attend briefing meetings where appropriate.

The field of search will be agreed with clients at a briefing meeting , as will the definition of the role and its responsibilities and the ideal characteristics and experience of candidates. Strict timetables are agreed for the progress of the search and the job description and the ideal candidate specification are agreed.

research

Our research on a search will be totally comprehensive. Having agreed the brief for each search with our clients, we undertake systematically to analyse the target markets company by company. For each search a dedicated team will agree a research strategy with the active involvement throughout of the consultant as well as members of the research team.

Research will comprise a combination of accessing information on our own database, analysing any publically available information sources and sourcing individuals, where possible in person. We encourage our clients to discuss with us the inclusion of any key individuals whom they would wish us to include in the sourcing process.

With our focus on the insurance sector, our market knowledge and the experience gained having searched in the insurance market for over twenty years, we are in a position to present clients with exhaustive and informed research .

Clients are informed of the progress of their searches throughout the research. At the end of the research phase, a full report is presented to the client in person by the search team. This not only enables us to agree on the list of target candidates to be approached, but also allows us to review the specification of the ideal candidate in the light of Hawksmoor’s research.

interview and shortlist

Target candidates are approached by the Hawksmoor consultant. Extensive and confidential interviews are held in our offices, in the course of which we discuss thoroughly each candidate’s career background and experience as well as assessing their suitability for the search against key criteria which have been agreed with our client. Our confidential reports will not only contain relevant career information but will also include a detailed analysis of each candidate’s suitability for the role, highlighting their fit against the specification of the ideal candidate.

Again once the candidate interviews have taken place, the shortlist is presented in person to the client. As well as presenting the written reports, this also allows for discussion of the candidates and their relative suitability for the role. The process for interviewing shortlist candidates and for decision making about the appointment is agreed in detail with the client.

offer

Once the preferred candidate is identified, Hawksmoor will work closely together with the client throughout the offer stage. Where appropriate we can offer advice on remuneration packages and can support our clients in discussions with candidates. Remaining in close contact with the candidate through the difficult period of resignation and departure is essential. We ensure that all other candidates are handled with sensitivity and openness and that, once the appointment is announced, all sources are informed and thanked.

... and beyond