Trying to attract top C-suite talent can be like trying to trap lightning in a bottle. Most good executives are already comfortable in well-paying positions so this makes the search a lot more difficult. This means having to change your approach when looking to build a C-suite team.

You can’t approach it like you’re filling an entry-level role. If you do that, then you’ll most likely fail. This is especially true if you’re recruiting from Hawaii. Let’s look at some pro-tips that can make that executive search more successful.

Use Data and Build Trust

Most search firms will have access to a lot of data on potential candidates. Just put yourself in the shoes of a potential executive for a moment. They get a call or email from someone they don’t know and start asking all sorts of questions.

Sometimes these questions might get a little personal, like how much they get paid, how long they’ve been at their current position, etc. All of this is highly sensitive data. You wouldn’t just give this out to just anyone. This is why building trust is an important first step.

Building Trust With Compliance

The best way to build trust is by following a few simple rules. First, it might be a good idea to take some ideas from the Association of Executive Search and Leadership Consultants (AESC), like keeping candidate information on a need to know basis, clearly communicating this to the client when you contact them, and letting the candidate know how their data will be used.

If you’re upfront with them, then they’ll be more likely to be more upfront with you. Sometimes this could mean filling that executive position right away or getting a lead to another candidate. Let’s look at who should be doing the search next.

Leadership Should Recruit Leadership

Most executives get a ton of calls and emails per day about all sorts of things. Sometimes it’s sales calls, dealing with company issues, or dealing with issues of their own. The last thing that they have time for is the person on the other side of the phone who is trying to reach a recruitment quota.

This is where having a member of the leadership team, ideally, someone that they’ll be working with, who can help with the search. An executive is more likely to open up to another person if they’re on the same level. Now, this doesn’t mean that an executive absolutely won’t give a normal employee the time of day. Let’s look at using executive recruiters next.

Using a Professional Executive Recruiter

A recruiting professional can “crack the executive language” and save a lot of time and money. This is especially true if you’re targeting a certain region or location. For example, if you’re located in Hawaii and need an executive, then it makes sense to work with professionals that know the area.

Top executive and management positions require intensive search strategies and connections, and we have them. Our Executive Recruiters have developed relationships with rock-solid candidates so we know who they are and what they are about. Learn more about our Executive Search program.

Bishop & Company Can Help You Find Top C-Suite Talent

Bishop & Company has been placing top talent since 1986 and we are Hawaii’s go-to source for “best of” talent. Not only can we source executives right from the area, but we can widen the search if need be. We can step in and find highly-skilled professionals from other great companies and expertly place them. We know the Hawaii market and our recruitment teams will give you the right talent, right now. So if you need to fill that C-suite position now, click here to get the process started.