The Christopher Group is unique in its approach to talent acquisition because they ensure they not only understand the content of the roles, long-term plans and culture of the organization but also use a systematic, metrics-oriented approach to deliver the right candidate within the agreed upon time frame.
Steve Bishara
Chief Human Resources Officer, Harbour Group
HR Hiring Process
At TCG we believe passionately that the key to our tremendous success emanates from our industry-leading and proprietary HR recruitment process. Over the last 22+ years, we have developed and refined our process to ensure the most effective, efficient, accurate, and fastest search sequence. We call this the Christopher Recruiting Systems (C.R.S) and we are currently in version 9.0. Here is an overview of our process that truly sets us apart from all the others:
Integrated Three-Person Search Team
Each search has a dedicated team of former highly skilled HR practitioners consisting of a Relationship Partner (client interface), Recruiting Director/Manager (candidate interface), and Research/Operations Manager.
Functionally Aligned Recruiting Teams
We employ highly trained, experienced, and seasoned HR search executives. They have deep specialization within their respective HR verticals including Generalist, MD/OE, Talent Management, Benefits and Compensation, Talent Acquisition, Diversity and Inclusion, and Professional/Employee/Union Relations.
Team-Based Communications
Throughout a TCG Search process, the same assigned three-person search team is in every meeting and call. This includes Search Pull-Up Meeting, Slate Presentation Call, Interview Debrief Calls, Process Management Calls, Offer Extension Calls, Transition Management Calls, etc. This very important protocol ensures nothing gets lost in translation during the human resources hiring process.
Search/Company-Specific Candidate Marketing Packets
When recruiting the highest performing/potential passive candidates, digital marketing materials are essential. As a result, we develop a 150-200-page comprehensive executive Candidate Marketing Packet (C.M.P) which is the envy of the executive search community. This packet includes but is not limited to job description, executive bios, hiring authority bios, comprehensive company information, financial reports, annual reports, 10(K)(Q) reports, company awards, recent press releases and an expansive proprietary location information portrait (we copyright this for our client to use for their search and future searches). TCG candidates continually report these C.M.P’s are simply the best they have ever seen and incredibly useful throughout the search process.
Precision Recruiting
We do not run ads or use email blasts. We employ the latest and most expensive search technology to source and assess the highest performing/potential passive candidates. We have access to more than 98%+ of all named HR professionals from only those companies our clients have targeted.
Structured Candidate Assessments
TCG Candidate Bio: A key differentiation of TCG is the depth and breadth of assessments we conduct on every submitted candidate. All TCG candidates go through a comprehensive pre-screen utilizing a position specific TCG Candidate Bio tool.
Competency Grid: We utilize a proprietary/copyrighted search specific competency-based assessment tool to provide our client with the most accurate and measurable candidate assessment profiles
High-Definition Video Interviews
In 2014, TCG pioneered high-definition recorded video interview assessments. Today we utilize a structured interview guide via a high-definition video platform with tailored competency and chemistry screens. We see every candidate before you do and you see every candidate (via high-definition recorded video) before you spend the money to bring them in for interviews.
DiSC Culture Assessment
We provide a full menu of industry-leading/recognized executive assessment systems. We are an exclusively trained, Authorized Partner of the DiSC Assessment tool. TCG clients enjoy the option of utilizing this system as a part of their TCG executive search process.
Three/Four Week Production Schedule
TCG guarantees a new slate of at least three fully developed, fully engaged candidates as a part of the human resources recruitment process until search completion. Our clients have guaranteed delivery dates for each slate enabling them to advanced scheduling for first and even second-round interviews. This approach provides a far faster and efficient schedule for every TCG search.
Search Metrics
Transparency and complete relevant data for any TCG search has proven to be invaluable to our clients. With every submitted slate, we present a Search Metric Report showcasing all 150-500 candidates we have sourced and assessed for the role and why TCG said yes or no to the candidate (competency and chemistry fit). We also report why the candidate said yes or no to our client’s opportunity (Five Value Dimensions: Job Company, Career Path, Compensation or Locations). In short, there is no recruiter B.S. in the executive search process. We only speak with factual data to empower and enable our clients to make powerful search selections.
Weekly Progress Updates
We conduct a standing weekly update call on every search with key performance milestones to apprise our clients on search progress and ensure search success.
Process Management
Filling positions with the highest performing candidates is one half of what we do. The other equally important half is providing our clients and candidates with the most respectful and exceptional search experience. Throughout the HR hiring process, we provide comprehensive process support including but not limited to assessment scheduling, travel logistics, candidate prep and debrief calls, client prep and debrief calls, look-see visits, career consultations, market calibrations and so much more. This is why TCG Clients/References repeatedly say that TCG is the best search partner they ever worked with.
Behind the Scene Check Outs
One of our most powerful levers is our network. We provide targeted and structured research on every desired candidate to garner historic data on performance, knowledge, skills, strengths, developmental needs, social styles, and address specific client concerns.
Offer Preparation and Extension
We complete a candidate Pre-Close on the desired candidate(s) including a side-by-side, total compensation profile for both current compensation package and desired compensation package before offer extension. We then work with our clients to position and extend all offers in the most compelling and market-relevant manner. This is precisely why 98% of TCG’s extended offers are accepted!
Resignation/Transition Program
In today’s market counteroffers are a standard and expected risk with every candidate. We have developed and utilized a very effective program to ensure TCG candidates land and stick. As a result, TCG clients enjoy a less than 1% counter offer experience and acceptance rate for the last five years running!
On-Boarding and Post-Hire Program
At TCG we believe strongly that our work extends past offer and acceptance. As a result, we stay close to each TCG Candidate even after the HR hiring process to ensure a smooth and successful transition.