Retained assignments
We have an incredibly successful track record of working on retained search selection assignments because, as our name suggests, this is where we began. However, we won't attempt to tie to you in to a retained campaign when we know a contingency assignment is the best way forward.
We find that a retained campaign is most efficient in the following cases:
- a specialised role where you know only a limited number of candidates exist
- a volume campaign that you know is going to require a level of focus and intensity beyond the norm
- a store opening programme where you want to see the best people but you can't say for certain when you will need them
- a confidential role where you don't want the whole industry to know what you are doing
- a poor brand image where you would like to communicate a positive image to the marketplace
- a vacancy when you have to work tight timescales
These are a few examples but the list could go on. Retained assignments will often offer an efficient and commercially astute alternative to contingency recruitment.
There are a multitude of scenarios where a retained campaign using either search, advertising or a combination of both will be the best way forward. At Quest, retained campaigns are no more expensive than our contingency service as we value the exclusivity and buy in from our recruitment partners. A retained campaign gives you access to all our contingency methodology and lot a more besides, the only thing that changes for you is how that cost is structured. We will work closely with all parties to ensure the cost is structured to suit your requirements.
Search/Headhunting
Search or headhunting can be the most effective way of targeting and selecting the best candidates in the marketplace. This might be because you require a specialised skill or beacuse you need a lot of similar people at the same time, or it might be because the role is in a challenging location. Whatever the reason, expert knowledge of a sector is crucial, as is an extensive network and the discretion of the consultant handling those key positions.
Our focus is delivery, so we won't conduct pointless mapping campaigns to little or no effect - we will identify the most suitable candidate and ensure they are right for you, whatever it takes. Our search process runs as follows:
- We need to know about you and what you are looking for - this will require putting together a tight candidate brief and getting to know your business. This might mean job shadowing or spending time with the team, ultimately to ensure we know exactly what you want to see in a prospective employee.
- The result of this consultation will be an agreed list of source companies
- Our headhunting campaign will then begin as we search out the most relevant candidates to brief on your vacancy
- We will then conduct full screening interviews against your specific competencies for the role in question
- We will present a 3 or 4 candidate shortlist with full interview notes, highlighting candidate strengths and weaknesses
- We will broker the offer & help the candidate through their resignation
- We retain contact with the candidate to ensure everything is ok with their notice and on starting in the new job, to the point when you are happy for contact to cease
Branded Advertising
Quest is one of the leading recruitment advertisers, with a near constant presence in all the relevant trade press and regular postings on over 25 different job boards. Our brand is high profile and our relationships with the key media groups are strategic and long term.
However, branded advertising on your behalf is a different ball game. We can use our industry contacts to ensure we are providing you with competitive rates and make sure we are utilising the most relevant media for you and your roles. We have a huge back catalogue of campaigns across all sectors so please spend some time looking over the campaigns we have run in partnership with many of our clients.
By using our in house media research we can confidently recommend the most relevant media for you, be it:
- Online Media
- National Press
- Regional Press
- Industry Publications
- Sector Publications
Production of the ad is equally important as where it is placed. We are flexible about who produces the content and whether or not the ad carries our logo or not. We have a track record of success with writing targeted advertising campaigns that get the response we are looking for, and a creative agency who we have worked with for many years to produce eye catching, bespoke designs. We will consult with you over ad production and will happily pass over copy production to your own in house teams or design agency.
Every recruitment campaign is different so you may find that one or a combination of these approaches suits you best. We will work with you to meet your particular challenges head on and recommend the most efficient course of action. Our success is down to our flexibility so please contact us to find out how we can tailor a campaign to suit you.
