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What is the difference between executive search firms & recruitment agencies?

It is crucial to find better candidates for the executive post in any business. The companies depend on recruitment firms to fulfil their job placements.

In general, the terminologies like executive search firms and recruitment agencies appear in the industry, and sometimes it appears that both terms refer to the same process. But, there is a difference between these two categories, and it makes them different in their approach of finding the best talents for the companies. 

Executive Search Firms are meant for senior-level postings, and these firms remain successful in finding a suitable candidate for the companies.

Factors That Lie Behind The Difference Of These Two Terms:

It is critical to know the difference between an executive search firm and a recruitment agency to use the terms appropriately. The following are the differences between these two terms that help better understand the concepts. 

Executive Search Firms is entirely different from the recruiting agencies in the following ways

1. Selecting The Candidates For Senior Levels And Other Levels

It is the first difference between these two categories of selecting the candidates. 

Executive searching firms focus on the placements of senior-level roles, which is significant in the execution of long term plans and operation of the other valuable aspects. In addition, the senior level of posting requires the skills to handle the company’s portfolio, which remains critical for its development.

On the other hand, the recruitment agencies help hire the general category of employees who fit under entry and mid-level. Here, the general category employees can find placements with no added skills. 

2. Finding Passive And Active Candidates

The second difference is the determination of the type of candidate selection.

The candidates who come under the executive search option are not job seekers, and they are skilled personalities capable of making crucial decisions on behalf of the organizations. The organizations need their guidance and assistance in every step of development.

In contrast, the candidates who come under recruitment service are new to the work area and apply for the available openings in the companies. The candidates might come across openings through advertisements and other possible sources and apply for openings that match their profile data. 

The third difference is the payment option for the rendered service. 

In executive search options, the organizations must pay the total amount or the partial amount to fix the right candidate for the relevant postings. Here the quality is the factor that determines the selection process. 

On the other hand, the recruitment agencies get the payment only when they fill in the candidates. So here, placement is the only focus of the agencies, and quality is the second option. 

4. Long Term Guarantee And Short Term Guarantee

The fourth difference is the guarantee factor of the candidates.

In the search executive’s process, the executives are likely to leave the postings once they get the better placement options. Executive search can find the replacement for the category, and the clients need not pay for the selection. 

On the other hand, the recruiters’ agency does not guarantee the placement, and it comes under either no guarantee or short guarantee of the placement. 

5. Confidentiality

Executive search maintains the confidence of the applicants, and there are no possibilities to leak the profile of the senior candidates to the other executive search firms.

On the other hand, in a recruiter’s agency, the candidates’ resume is likely to share with third party hiring agencies, which is essential for job placements. 

The above factors help understand the differences of the terminologies and help in understanding the role of Executive Search Firms. 

Conclusion:

Knowing the difference between the two ways of selecting the candidates helps understand the value of the placements. 

Read More : How to choose a great executive search firm?

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