How We Do What We Do
Friday, September 22, 2023 by Bailey
The Bohan & Bradstreet Approach:
Phase 1:
Researching the Marketplace
The B&B team performs a detailed analysis of competitors, aligned organizations, and marketplace to develop sources for candidates. Candidates are originated from a variety of proactive and passive resources (i.e., direct/indirect recruiting, networking, existing database of candidates, professional associations, recruiting partners).
Identification & Evaluation of Talent
First, we identify and qualify the right candidates to invest in evaluating. This initial probe centers on career history and progression, appropriateness of experience, education, compensation, reasons for seeking new employment, status and parameters of candidate’s availability and aspirations. If that effort is successful, the second phase is an in-depth interview of career with the accent on responsibilities and contributions over the last 8-10 years. The third part is the evaluation of soft skills and determination of the appropriateness to the search (i.e. leadership, organization, multi-tasking, prioritizing, problem solving, level of patience, project management, eye for detail and follow through, communications). B&B goes beyond the paper and just matching the search criteria to the resume. We assess the cultural fit and the future compatibility.
Phase 2:
Client Presentation
Each Client is different and we attempt to accommodate the format that the specific Client wants. Most typical after completing the evaluation process, we provide a current profile of each candidate accompanied by additional insight gained during the interview process. This commonly is a combination of on-target knowledge and experience, appropriate accomplishments, parallels between past history and Client’s opportunity, career motivators, reasons for change, personality traits, compensation history, and availability.
Phase 3:
Interview Logistics & Feedback
To expedite and facilitate the search process, B&B coordinates the logistics of the interviews with all parties. Everybody needs feedback; both positive and negative. Being the catalyst and coordinator, B&B provides meaningful commentary and observations from all parties and facilitates the interview process to take advantage of interest, clarify perceptions, identify omissions and/or concerns, revisit timing issues, and other potential hurdles.
Phase 4:
References & Background Checks
Some companies like to do their own references; however, the vast majority of our Clients prefer that we do all or most of them. Our references are customized to the needs of the Client that we serve and are unique for each candidate. We contact superiors, peers, subordinates and external customers. We provide a paraphrased synopsis of our findings and present that with all the appropriate contact information in case the Client would like to ask additional questions.
Final Negotiations
If the expectations of all parties are managed effectively, then the result is a successful negotiation and acceptance. Clients are comparing various candidates for their needs and attempting to establish fair value for talent selected. Candidates are comparing current employment with external alternatives and attempting to establish acceptable value. Every Client and candidate is unique. B&B provides insight of impressions and expectations, openly discusses the evaluation, brings clarity to any open issues, and partners with both parties on final negotiations and start date.
After the Acceptance
B&B stays in communication with all parties before the new employee starts, after new employment begins, and throughout the candidate's career. We are here to add value and insight as part of a long-term relationship. Part of our success is due to the interest we have in the development of candidates’ careers within the client companies we serve.
