Sevenstep Blog

Unlock the Doors to Executive and Hard-to-Fill Talent

By Nick Chilingirian, Executive Director, Client Services, KellyOCG + Sevenstep

The phone buzzed. It was the hiring manager.  

His message? “We need to talk.” No emojis, no exclamation points. When I called him, he answered, “Looks like we can’t make that hire.” His reason was another example of the type of hurdles that can arise in the process of securing high-value talent.

The client was an electrical engineering firm that depended heavily on coordinated teams that dealt with highly technical projects, and the role in question was a critical management position. The person we sought was a proverbial unicorn: great people skills, project management experience and deep knowledge of the technologies involved in the job. Corporate rejected the hire because policies were changed, and they now required the employee to work on-site. The work was in the Northeast US, while the candidate was in the Mountain West. Non-negotiable.  

I don’t recall whether it was me or the manager who said it, but we were on the same page. “Let’s try to get him to move.”

We acted quickly, contacted the candidate and floated the idea. “At least let us show you the location,” we said, and he agreed. We arranged for him and his family to fly in, coordinating all their travel and accommodation. Our efforts went beyond a simple office tour; we introduced them to the area, provided information on local housing options and schools, and connected them with a trusted real estate agent. The visit gave both sides valuable face time to align on expectations and address concerns. By the end of the trip, the candidate and his family fully committed to relocating. He accepted the offer and embraced the new role with enthusiasm.

That’s how a hard-to-fill search works. 

The Secret to Hard-to-Fill Searches

If your organization is thinking about recruiting for difficult roles, approach it as more than just a standard recruitment process. Instead, focus on establishing the right conditions for success. This involves working with a provider that understands what it takes to succeed. In the most successful partnerships, the client and the provider have a shared commitment to implementing an effective process, fostering a positive mindset and going the extra mile to make that new hire happen.  

• The Process: Specialized recruitment goes beyond simply matching a candidate to a job description. It’s about combining professional expertise with a personal touch. By integrating advanced recruiting technology with a deeply engaged approach, a good search partner not only finds the most qualified candidates but also those genuinely invested in the opportunity. Understanding a candidate’s career goals is just as important as understanding the company’s needs.
• The Mindset: Success is about grasping the nuances of company culture and the candidate’s personal aspirations. There’s always more for employers to learn about the talent they’re seeking and more for search partners to uncover about the organization and the role. One of the biggest challenges is bridging the gap between the hiring manager's expectations and the candidate’s needs while navigating corporate red tape, budget constraints and personal commitments. You can identify the right fit by genuinely understanding the role, the company, and the candidates. The best recruiters in this field spend significant time up front to learn about the job being recruited, even if it is a role they are familiar with. Every role and organization have their nuanced differences, and they matter when making the case. No two candidates are exactly alike, even if their backgrounds look the same. Learning about them is always part of the process.  
• The Extra Mile: Recruiting is rarely straightforward, especially when seeking top-tier talent. You must sell your approach to every stakeholder and execute it flawlessly. Many search partners may lack the persistence to navigate obstacles and deliver results. But that commitment to going the extra mile is often what transforms a near-miss into a game-changing hire. 

When hiring for specialized skills or leadership capabilities, seek a partner who understands the landscape thoroughly. Look for someone with a proven track record in relationship building, combined with the recruitment expertise and technology required to deliver results. Our experience in hiring across all levels equips us with deep knowledge, commitment and the ability to navigate any challenge in meeting hard-to-fill recruiting needs. With the right partner, you’ll be able to achieve timely and cost-effective results — regardless of how elusive the talent may seem.