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How to jump-start your search for communications taient and other secrets for getting the most out of your executive recruiting firm
By Barry Shulman and Gordon Chiang
With the increasing speed of the business world, companies have less time to search the marketplace for the communications talent they need to defend their reputation, build their brands and relate to their constituencies. Not only do companies lack time.but they also face the latter problem oflocating the right talent for their needs. According to the Association of Executive Search Companies in its third annual survey released last July. 60 percent of the respondents felt that talent acquisition was "more difficult" than two years earlier. When asked to name the greatest areas where they were experiencing shortage of talent,'*saies, marketing and PR" were among the top three. In terms of the specific regions where respondents felt the greatest shortage of talent, the United States was by far the most frequendy mentioned (70 percent). So, how are companies coping? More are hiring executive search firms to assist in their recruiting activities. Fortunately, tliere are many firms that help match communications professionals and positions. Some are broad-based internationalfirms,while others are boutique, communications-specific firms. In either case they are an excellent way for corporations to start their searches and get the most out of their recruitment. As we have helped companies recruit mission-critical players over the past 20 years.we've noticed seven key steps to getting the most out of your recruiting firm. tion for which you're hiring. Be sure to hire a firm that is known for placing communications professionals and has the references and reputation in the marketplace to prove it.These integrated communications search firms have access to the mostqualified candidates through their proprietary databases and sources within the profession. Completion... [continues]

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