As you progress through your executive career, finding opportunities that align with your growth can become more challenging. Leadership roles often require a unique blend of strategic vision, decision-making, and team building, making the search for the right fit a more time-consuming and frustrating process.

In addition, today’s hiring market is deceptively challenging for senior executives who are looking more holistically, beyond pure remuneration metrics. A recent report listed company culture, the leadership team, and company ethics as the top three factors that leaders consider in new roles. These also happen to be the things that are most difficult to determine from a job description.

That’s why many executives turn to an executive search firm to help. In this article, we’ll discuss the benefits of working with an executive search firm to find your next role.

Why use executive search to find a job: 9 benefits

Whether you’re already in a role and looking for a new opportunity, or returning to work after a period of absence, executive-level job hunting requires time, expertise, and patience.

Identifying opportunities is just the beginning of the journey. Standing out from the competition and securing the position, with the right package, involves understanding the market, ensuring that the right skills are highlighted and an innate understanding of what the employer is looking for.

Your executive search firm provides all this and more, helping you secure your ideal role. In this section, we’ll explore some of the many benefits of executive search, and why you should consider using a search firm to find your next role.

1. A service tailored to you

There is no “one size fits all”. An executive search firm will take the time to get to know you and understand your preferences, skills, and requirements so they can recommend you for roles which will advance your career in the way you want.

You’ll also benefit from expert guidance for the best CV, advice on how to prepare for interviews, negotiate salaries, deal with counteroffers and so much more. And because executive search is such a personalised service, your search partner will know exactly what support you need, and how to provide it in a way that is most helpful to you.

2. Impartial candidate screenings

Executive search is subject to rigorous screening processes to help identify an initial long list of candidates who are most qualified and suitable. If you find yourself on a long list, you can rest assured that your search partners consider you a good fit for the role.

Ensuring that candidates are only offered opportunities in which they can thrive while getting the best results for the employer, is in everyone’s best interest. That’s why executive search methodology is designed for entirely impartial initial screening to ensure that candidates only engage with roles that are well suited to them.

3. Finding a role that lasts

Your CV and meeting a list of role requirements might get you onto the initial long list, but finding the right executive role is far more nuanced and personal. Company culture, how you might fit into an existing team, and aligning your values with company objectives and values are some of the key factors that are challenging to identify and easy to overlook when seeking a new career opportunity.

An executive search firm has the benefit of seeing the complete picture through:

• A thorough understanding of the role, company objectives and culture.
• In-depth knowledge of the candidate.
• Expert insights into the market.

This enables them to make recommendations based on factors beyond what is written on your CV. Prospective employers will trust the judgement of executive search firms and be open to considering people who might not fit the job description in a traditional way. This means that more opportunities are open to you, roles that you might have been previously passed over for, or even ruled out in your own search.

4. A long-term recruiting relationship

When you choose an executive search firm, you will develop a long-standing relationship with not only the firm itself but also individual search partners who you might be working with over time. Both of these relationships help you grow your career and thrive as you take on different roles. At Eton Bridge Partners, we pride ourselves on our long-term candidate relationships and the impact we’ve had supporting individuals throughout their career.

Becoming part of the search firm’s network will naturally lead to being considered for other opportunities as they arise and being invited to apply for positions that you might not have considered but may well define your entire career.

The relationship between you and your executive search partner can be extremely helpful when you find yourself hiring on your company’s behalf in the future. With an in-depth understanding of the objectives of your company, and knowing what is important to you, they’ll be able to recommend candidates that will complement the existing team, saving you time and effort in your search.

5. Improve your connections and contacts

Increasing the size of your network becomes ever more important as you grow your executive career. Working with an executive search firm allows you to form new connections and contacts with other senior executives and leading companies in your sector or niche.

This will help you keep up to date with the latest industry trends and best practices and retain an ongoing understanding of what prospective employers might be looking for.

With extensive networks and long-standing relationships with top-tier companies, an executive search partner can unlock access to many opportunities that will benefit your career.

6. Access to more jobs

The previously mentioned extensive network also gives you insider access to opportunities that aren’t being advertised on the open market.

Executive leadership can be complicated – company politics, complex exit strategies, stiff competition, and mergers and acquisitions are just some reasons companies might want their search conducted away from the public gaze.

Candidates working with executive search firms often have access to exclusive positions that aren’t listed anywhere else, giving you the edge over other candidates.

7. Confidentiality and discretion

If you’re already in a role but want to consider other opportunities, you can rest assured that confidentiality will be built into the process.

Working with an executive search partner enables you to explore possibilities without risking your current position or bringing your loyalty to your existing employer into question. This allows you to take your time to find the perfect position for where you are in your career, without jeopardising your current situation.

8. Expert guidance

Executive search firms are experts in their field. With industry insights, a deep knowledge of specific industries and a valuable understanding of market trends, salary benchmarks and skill demands they can provide you with a huge advantage in your search for your new role. Eton Bridge Partners deep functional expertise means that we can help you understand how your professional background might be adaptable to other sectors.

Armed with a full understanding of you and your career aspirations, search partners can also provide personalised career advice, helping you align your search goals with available opportunities and create a career journey that takes you exactly where you want to go.

9. A trustworthy recruiter dedicated to your needs

Dedicated to supporting you every step of the way, Eton Bridge Partners are known for their genuine care and authenticity. We build personal relationships with our candidate network so we know the whole person, not just the technical skills and experience, and can help find roles which fulfil your career aspirations, your values and ethics as well as your current life needs.

Put simply, working with a search partner gives you access to someone who will cheer you on when you need it, support you in your search and keep you on track. They’ll give you trustworthy advice, guidance, and feedback to help you secure the roles you want, helping you navigate challenges throughout your search.

An unrivalled personal approach to support career growth?

In this article, we’ve shown how working with an executive search firm can give you a crucial competitive edge as you look for your next executive opportunity. Access to expert guidance and support, a huge network and insider knowledge are just some reasons to choose executive search over solo job hunting.

At Eton Bridge Partners, we are dedicated to helping you create the career you deserve, with our unrivalled personal approach to executive search which enables us to advise you based on not only our market and industry knowledge but also our in-depth knowledge of you.

It’s important to us to understand our candidates and get to know you personally. This enables us to nurture your long-term career with ongoing support and provide you with opportunities for personal and professional growth.

“Whilst many preach it, Eton Bridge Partners are one of the few recruitment firms that actually do support both clients and candidates, developing relationships with a long-term view, to the benefit of all.  As a candidate I have had a positive and rewarding experience with them. Highly recommended.” Malcolm Healey – CFO, Moove Europe

Market-leading expertise and knowledge

Our candidate provision and support are backed up by market-leading insights and knowledge that have been developed through our many years of experience in executive search working with organisations all over the world.

“I’d known about Eton Bridge and their excellent reputation in the market for some time. After an initial discussion to discuss a role, I was very impressed with how everything progressed and knew I was in safe hands. They work exceptionally well as a team and guided me through the interview process. The initial briefing was spot on and gave me everything I needed to assess my likely fit and interest in the role. From there the regular updates, detailed briefings and guidance on preparation were first-class. Nothing was left to chance in moving things through to a successful conclusion – the level of human touch and care was genuinely exceptional.” Giles Remmington, HRD, GLAS Agency

If you’re considering working with an executive search partner to find your next role, we’d love to hear from you.

Lucy Smith, Associate Partner within Commercial, Sales & Marketing Practice on a range of assignments and managing candidate relationships. Whether it’s identifying top-tier candidates or building partnerships with clients, Lucy’s committed to supporting clients and candidates throughout the recruitment process. With a proven track record of success, Lucy is a trusted partner in navigating the dynamic world of talent acquisition.

Get in touch with Lucy