The search, step by step
- We take the brief properly. We meet you, in person or on video, to understand what the business needs this person to deliver, not just the job title. If the title, the level or the list of must-haves does not match what the market can give you, we say so before the search starts, not after it stalls.
- We check the budget against real data. Before we go to market we check the package against the live Finance Pay Index, our own survey of UK finance salaries, so you know where your offer sits for the role, location and size of business.
- We go and find people. We headhunt directly. Many of the strongest finance leaders are not looking, so we approach them rather than relying on whoever answers an advert.
- You see a shortlist with our view. The first shortlist is usually six to eight people, each with our written view of why they fit and where to probe. When it helps, for example with a busy or travelling CEO, we add short recorded introductions.
- You run the interviews, with the right questions. We pass feedback between you and the candidates throughout. Our free interview kit gives you weighted questions and a scorecard for the exact role and what the hire is for.
- References, your way. We take two references, or support you in taking them yourself, as agreed. If you would like your chair or CEO to speak to the candidate's previous chair or CEO, we can arrange it.
- We handle the offer. We manage the offer and the negotiation, and we talk to the candidate early about how they would respond to a counter-offer, so there are no surprises at the end.
- We stay in touch after they start. We check in with you and with the new hire through the first 90 days, so anything that needs adjusting is picked up early.
How quickly it moves
Across 149 of our placements, the median time from the first CV we sent to an offer was 19 days, and half landed between 11 and 29 days. That is measured from our own email records, from the day the successful candidate's CV first went to the client to the day of the offer. The notice period comes on top.
The searches that move fastest have the brief agreed and interview dates in diaries early. For planning a whole hire from the first conversation, see How long a finance hire takes.
Retained or contingent
We work on either basis, agreed with you at the start. On a retained search part of the fee is committed at the start and the search runs to a timetable we agree together; it suits newly created or senior seats where the market needs mapping. On a contingent search you pay only if you hire someone we introduce. We are happy to talk through which suits your role, and the terms, on a call.
Free tools to use first
- Interview kit: the weighted questions, scorecard and reference sheet for your exact role.
- Job spec checker: how many senior finance people each line of your spec leaves you.
- UK finance pay report: what to budget by level, location, ownership and size.
- The full hiring guide, organised by stage of the hire.
Talk to us
Ring Dan on 07785 425484, email dan@harpermay.com, or book a call at a time that suits you.