The Evolving Landscape of Executive Search

As an executive search network, we try to stay current with what is changing in the global recruitment profession. During a recent research project, I came across an informative white paper by a group called ScoutRock (www.scoutrock.com). The title of the white paper is Changes in the Executive Search Industry.

One of several observations and projections this white paper identifies is a clear direction toward a greater focus on international experience, global labor mobility, global talent management, virtual global teams and cross-border business practices.

Here are some interesting numbers collected and discussed in the ScoutRock paper:

• 75% of senior executives expect to grow or enter international markets in the next 10 years.
• 54% expect management to be more international by the end of the decade.
• 92% of SHRM respondents expect to contend with global labor mobility issues.
• 85% forecast an increase in virtual global teams.

The impact of these trends and directions on the global recruitment profession is complicated. For larger, multinationals and Fortune 500 businesses, this means an increasing focus and dependence on internal global recruiters. Search assignments that may have gone to independent global recruiters may move in-house to best manage expectations and outcomes for large organizations with many global recruitment needs and a constant supply of position openings. Social networks and social recruiting have increased the ability for companies to build employment brands and a talent pipeline to match their needs. For smaller organizations and infrequent players in the global recruitment space, there will be perhaps a trend toward the use of boutique and niche firms either directly or through a search network relationship.

The quantity of executive searches engaging independent recruiters may decrease and those assignments reaching the independents will be complex and difficult. Employers will place value on things like:

• A global network of partners offering localized expertise
• Decreased cycle times
• Rapid access to global talent pools

The ScoutRock white paper is a good and interesting read for any recruiter working in a global recruitment space. A summary statement quoting from the paper:

“…to be successful, firms must develop capabilities and cultures of shared mindset, talent, collaboration, speed, accountability, learning, and leadership…”