The Prerequisites of becoming an Executive Search Consultant

Retained Executive Search firms play a key role in the success of  business organisations by finding the right professionals for executing their vision and business model. If you too are thinking of becoming an Executive Search Consultant then this post can serve as a ready reckoner of skills that you need to be successful in this profession. Take a look:

 

·         Effective Communication Skills:

Good communication skills act as the first and basic requirement for becoming a search consultant. The reason is simply the nature of the job. As a consultant, you would meet a lot of people and talk to them on a daily basis; hence you need to be a good speaker as well as a keen listener. Good communication skills do not mean that you need to become a great orator or a writer; but a person with effective communication techniques. Many a time you may be asked to indulge in cold calling to enhance the client base of the company. On such occasions you would need to explain to the prospective clients what your company does and how it works. Additionally, you may be required to interview job applicants, in which case you are required to display exceptional listening skills in order to test the candidate on different parameters.

·         Logical and abreast with Business Environment

 

 Retained Executive Search organisations deal with a host of client firms which are from different domains/verticals. Thus to cater to the needs of the individual firms, the consultant needs to keep himself abreast with the developments in the business environments of different industries or in his/her  chosen verticals. The consultant needs to be well versed with the client firms in order to be of value to the executive search organisation. Therefore, to deal with the people, the consultant is required to have insights into the companies.

·         Read people's mind

 

To become a good recruitment consultant, you certainly need to master the skill of reading the mind of both the job seekers as well as the client firms. If you have the skill of reading other's mind you can easily bridge the gap between the requirement of the client and the suitability of the job applicant. You must keep in mind that your fundamental job is to place the right set of people at the right place and at the right time.

 

The above mentioned characteristics are the prerequisites of a successful  career as a recruitment consultant. Always keep in mind that long work hours would be your shadow if you undertake this career option.