How Executive Search Efforts Are Shifting During COVID

Executive search during COVID has brought some concerns to the boardroom table for business leaders. Many have questioned the ability to find the best executive without in-person meetings, or getting an executive onboarded remotely.

There is no doubt that COVID has made executive search a bit different. However, the search fundamentals have not changed. There have only been shifts in the search processes, as well as the tools utilized.

The relationships needed to be forged are still happening. They are simply happening in a different way. Or format (digitally) in this case. But companies are still finding and hiring top executives around the globe. Executive search has not gone away. In fact, it may actually be more prominent in the COVID pandemic world we do business in today.

Let’s take a closer look at how executive search efforts are shifting during COVID. You may find the following perfect for your next search opportunity.

There Needs To Be 100% Transparency To Build Trust

When COVID changed how businesses operated, executive search processes came to a slow grind. This was mainly due to the lack of traditional ways executive search was handled. But the good news is that search has resumed, and it is all based on transparency and trust.

Communication is now the key ingredient to a successful executive hire. For instance, the interview process during COVID could become quite exhausting for executive candidates. This can lead to a negative start to the overall process.

Instead of taking executives on a whirlwind digital grind, there needs to be a streamlined, very detailed schedule in place. In fact, companies and leadership need to make contact to hire for executives a two week minimum ordeal during COVID.

Coming to a final decision when it comes to executive search during the current pandemic may seem pretty challenging. But having a plan and schedule that ensures transparency and trust are at the forefront can make a big time positive impact.

Skip The Online Group Meetings During Executive Search

In the traditional setting, executive search involves a few group meetings. This was effective in a pre-COVID business world, but not anymore. The dynamic of having leaders and stakeholders in a room during the interview process is no longer effective.

Why? Because getting everyone online in a digital meeting can be a serious nightmare. There are technical difficulties, scheduling issues, internet situations, and much more that can, and will, go wrong.

To still have this process of executive search in play, you will need to adjust the method a bit. This means having single interactions with the candidate. For example, Facebook holds several one-to-one virtual meetings in a row. This allows leaders and stakeholders to meet with the executive candidate online in a more effective way.

Here’s an example of a schedule:

• Meeting #1 = 30 minutes

• Meeting #2 = 30 minutes

• Meeting #3 = 30 minutes

• Meeting #4 = 30 minutes

Each of these meetings will be back-to-back. At the end, all leadership and stakeholders will have a one hour meeting to compare notes and discuss the executive. From there, more meetings can be scheduled, or a list of questions can be developed for the executive to answer offline.

Higher Frequency, Less Time: An Executive Search Best Practice

COVID has definitely had an impact on the executive search process for CEOs, investors, and the candidates. The entire recruiting process is pretty much online, depending on where the company is located.

There have been many revelations, such as transparency, greater communication, as well as the need to decrease the time spent with candidates. For example, more meetings with a candidate, with shorter time durations, can help the candidate feel more comfortable, less stressed, and positive about the company.

This is essential, because you definitely want to ensure you keep potential executives happy from the get go. Having shorter meetings online can also help everyone not waste time. When you know you have only 30 minutes, you will be sure to prirotize everything to the max.

Effective Executive Search Is Possible During COVID-19 Pandemic

The overall executive search idea is not going anywhere during COVID. Only the processes and tools will need to shift in order to effectively find your next executive super star. The search and hiring methods are the same, just a different delivery and receiving channel. How will you execute hiring in 2021 as COVID continues to disrupt business?

This article does not necessarily reflect the opinions of the editors or management of EconoTimes