Once Executive Connections receives a search assignment the following proven process is used:

Step One: Organizational Review
The Executive Connections team meets with the hiring manager, head of human resources, and other stakeholders, to clearly understand the organizational structure and the duties/responsibilities of the position we are being hired to fill. A review of the industry experience, functional experience, and major attributes that the successful candidate must possess is conducted.

Step Two: Position Specification
Executive Connections prepares a detailed written description of the position specifying the duties, responsibilities and qualifications required for each position that we have been engaged to fill. Once this document is completed we obtain client approval and this becomes our common “yardstick" for evaluating potential candidates.

Step Three: Candidate Research & Identification
Executive Connections conducts primary and secondary market research to identify potential candidates and sources at specific companies within a particular industry sector. We review the list of targeted companies including key competitors and industry organizations. The result of this powerful process is between 250 to 300 names, and including contact information.

Step Four: Candidate Evaluation & Screening
Executive Connections meets personally with and interviews each and every potential candidate before forwarding anything on to our client. For each search assignment we develop a "long list" of four-to-six qualified and highly motivated candidates and deliver our recommendations to the client within 4-6 weeks from the outset of the search.

Step Five: Candidate Presentation & Client Evaluation
Executive Connections provides detailed evaluations of each candidate we present, prior to the initial meetings with our client. This evaluation includes candidate reference checks. We coordinate the interviewing process and facilitate the feedback between the client and the candidate.

Step Six Negotiations & Closing
Executive Connections prepares and delivers the employment offer. Since we pre-qualify candidate interest and compensation expectations prior to the offer stage surprises at this point in the process are kept to a minimum. However, should it become necessary we handle any objections and counter-offers.

Step Seven: Executive Coaching/On-Boarding Support
Executive Connections guarantees the successful transition of every executive we place by providing six months of executive coaching, beginning on the date the offer is accepted, to provide support and continued involvement to ensure the executive gets off to a successful start in the new position. Please read our Guarantee for more details and visit the Blended Solutions section of our site for further details.

Step One: Resume Submittal
We invite candidates to fill out a candidate information form (found on our database) providing information on your career objectives, geographic preferences/restrictions, compensation details, etc. and e-mail this information to us together with a copy of your resume. Once Executive Connections receives your resume and background information, we will enter it into our database.

Step Two: Telephone Call
Once Executive Connections identifies a position that might be a potential fit with your background and objectives, we will call you to discuss this opportunity. We will also e-mail you a position specification outlining all the duties, responsibilities and qualifications required for each position. We evaluate your requirements as they relate to the position and interview you again based on your interest and overall fit.

Step Three: Personal Meeting
Once Executive Connections and you agree an opportunity is worth pursuing, we meet with you in person for a face-to-face interview. We never forward your resume to our clients without having completed this step.

Step Four: Candidate Presentation & Reference Checking
Executive Connections checks your references and prepares a written evaluation and recommendation to present to our client.

Step Five: Client Interviews & Feedback
Executive Connections coordinates your interview at the client site and facilitates the feedback between our client and you.

Step Six: Offer & Negotiations
Executive Connections prepares and delivers your job offer. Since we pre-qualify your interest and compensation expectations prior to the offer stage surprises at this stage are kept to a minimum.

Step Seven: Executive Coaching/On-Boarding Assistance
Executive Connections provides you with six months of executive coaching, beginning on the date you accept your offer, to provide every possible support and continued involvement to assure you get off to a successful start in your new position. Visit the Blended Solutions section of our site for further details.

Executive Connections is so confident about the results of our Executive Search and Bended Solutions approach that we guarantee the success of the candidates we place. If the individual we place leaves the organization or is terminated within a six-month period from the hiring date Executive Connections will replace them at no additional fee (excluding direct expenses).

Executive Coaching is included in the placement fee for the Executive Search assignment as an added value and is highly recommended. Executive Coaching is provided because the costs of a failed executive placement for our client, the candidate, and ourselves, are far too great to allow this to be an option or outcome of the search process.

From the very beginning of the new relationship, coaching builds agreement and alignment between the hiring executive and the placed executive on the specific objectives and deliverables for the position.

As part of this process the placed executive prepares and implements appropriate action plans to successfully address the key responsibilities and accountability of the position, as well as to help transition successfully into the new organization and culture. Coaching continues for a period of six months from the start date.

President, US Operations - Advertising & Media:
Assisted a foreign-owned, global advertising agency consulting company to hire a President – United States Operations with prior, successful agency experience and contacts in the advertising and media sectors. We completed this search successfully within eight weeks and we are continuing to help this client, on a consulting basis, with new business introductions.

EVP, New Business - Brand Consulting:
Assisted a boutique brand consultancy in the recruitment of an Executive Vice President of New Business to coordinate the firm’s end-to-end business developments efforts, focused on the top 100 global marketers. We were able to solve this search assignment with the first candidate we introduced.

SVP, Marketing - Professional Learning:
Assisted a $150 million global professional learning company to recruit a Senior Vice President of Marketing to improve the effectiveness of branding, membership, and direct marketing/catalog marketing operations. This individual has become an important new member of the company’s senior leadership team.

VP, Product Management & New Business:
Assisted a life insurance client in the successful search for a Vice President, Product Management & New Business. This individual is responsible for creating and implementing a strategic plan for expanding the company’s existing product lines and identifying new distribution channels and strategic alliances.