Retained Search - Our 7 Step Process

When you retain us to complete a search assignment, we work to strict deliverables throughout, following our proven 7 step plan.

1. Client Visit

We start with a meeting at your site to understand your company culture, the skill set and competency requirements for the role and to agree processes and timescales for the assignment.

2. Assignment Spec

Using the information gathered during our meeting, Gravity will write an Assignment Specification. This includes your Company Profile, Job specification, Candidate Profile and Remuneration Breakdown. It confirms to you that we know what we are recruiting and provides candidates with black and white information about your business and the opportunity. You will sign off the Assignment Spec and we will only provide this to candidates when they have passed our initial vetting criteria.

3. Headhunt / Advertise

We agree a target list of companies to headhunt into and identify candidates to approach leading to the initial long-list. If appropriate and subject to your approval, we will advertise via trade media on the web and sometimes in print publications. Candidates are vetted against your criteria by phone and the shortlist is generated for your approval.

4. Interview

Face to face competency based interviews for all approved, shortlisted candidates are carried out by us, usually in a hotel over the course of 1-2 days.

5. Behavioural Profiling

If required, we will carry out behavioural profiling using tools from Thomas International. In this case, a full PPA report will be supplied for each candidate.

6. Present Shortlist

The final candidate shortlist is presented to you face-to-face and includes our interview notes, behavioural profiling reports and CVs. Our aim is to prepare you for your first interview already knowing the candidates inside and out. Interviews are arranged between you and the shortlisted candidates, usually leading to an offer.

7. Offer Management & Post Placement

We manage the offer stage with particular emphasis on anticipating and handling any counter-offer scenarios. Once the offer has been accepted, we maintain contact with the candidate and client up to the start date and 8 weeks beyond to help ensure a smooth settling in period.