One particular placement was for a senior international marketing role, to lead and coordinate local and regional marketing and product teams. Given our client’s strong technical focus, it was initially assumed by all involved that the winning candidate was likely to be found within a direct competitor, or within an organisation active in complementary or at least similar products.
We had already produced a shortlist of such candidates, when we were referred to a passive candidate with an interesting profile - albeit one from a completely different business and product background. At interview, the candidate demonstrated a strong background in all the major competencies we had been briefed to find. Perhaps even more importantly, he had a strong personal 'fit' with our client’s company culture. We immediately presented him as a late entrant to the shortlist.
The hiring managers were initially surprised, and somewhat skeptical about being presented with a profile so far outside their accustomed business area. But given our past record of success with them, they were eventually persuaded to meet the candidate for interview.
They were soon convinced of this candidate’s cultural fit with the organisation, and of his competency background. An offer was extended to him very quickly, which he was happy to accept. He is still a very successful, satisfied and effective employee of our client, and has grown with them to tackle ever larger challenges.
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