Youíre hired

As the new series of the infamous Apprentice hit our screens recently we wait with bated breath to see whom, one by one, receives the wrath of Sir Alan Sugarís – ìYouíre fired!î The Apprentice might be considered good television but is it really a guide on how NOT to assess and attract talent? How successful in the hunt for talent would this 12 week rigorous interview process really be? As the contestants prepare themselves for the board room James Milne, Principal Consultant for Executive Search at Source-People talks about attracting and recruiting the right leaders and how imperative this is for business success.

ìThe series, in most cases, would be the opposite of how an employer would approach a recruitment strategy. It is unnecessary to put people under intense levels of pressure to almost enduce failure, instead of a real assessment scenario which provides a platform for candidates to demonstrate their areas of expertise.î

Finding and attracting the best talent:
Any prospective employer is aware that they are in a highly competitive market for talent and should aspire to appeal to the candidatesí needs and wants:

ï A collaborative team based culture as opposed to conflict with peers and supervisors.

ï The opportunity to contribute and make a difference to their organisation rather than be placed within a situation doomed for failure.

ï Supportive personal development rather than hands off bullying.

ï Relaxed work place culture conducive to excellence rather than an atmosphere of conflict.

ìSome of the best candidates, however, will not always be easy to find as they are not actively on the open market. This requires a more focused recruitment strategy to help attract these key individuals.î

Adopting the right recruitment process:
The recruitment style for every organisation can differ depending on their culture and leadership styles. An integrated approach including advertisement, external consultancy, assessment centres, face to face interviews and meetings with potential candidates can be required in todayís highly competitive recruitment market. Appointing the right person is imperative, but it is not always easy to assess whom that may be. Key entrepreneurial leaders, for instance, might not always be best placed to make these decisions as they tend to employ people similar to themselves instead of recognising the skills gap within the business.

ìThis is definitely an area where an Executive Search service can add value, working in full partnership with a client, tailoring the process to fit individual needs. Each Search involves a detailed process including candidate attraction, interview & assessment and client support to ensure a successful solution for both the client and candidate.î

Successful outcomes:
Some may agree that the Apprentice certainly provides compelling television entertainment but it is not very reflective of successful talent acquisition in the real world of business. How many of the candidates selected on the previous series of the Apprentice have lasted the duration? A successful hire is dependant on a thorough recruitment process tailored to suit an individual clientís needs, coupled with the provision of post-appointment support, where necessary, to ensure the induction period runs smoothly.

Headquartered in Aberdeen, Scotland, Source operate on a global basis providing innovative recruitment solutions including Specialist Recruitment and Executive Search & Selection. Primarily focussed on the International Oil & Gas sector Source specialise in the skilled commercial disciplines; Finance & Accountancy; Legal & Contracts; Technical & Engineering and Human Resources.