Top Traits Recruiters Look for in Executive Search

Personality should never be the sole consideration when it comes to executive search, but certain personality traits tend to thrive more than others when it comes to C-suite positions. Here are some of the top traits executive search teams should look for when considering top executive candidates.

Professionalism

Executives must be professional in their dealings with others both internally as well as outside of the company. Professionalism can be conveyed through the way they dress, how they interact with others, and particularly how they deal with difficult situations. With the number of meetings that C-level talent must attend, the number of problems that may arise, and the difficult decisions they’ll need to make each day, it’s important to hire executives who champion professionality. The way executives interact with others internally also sets an example for those they work with, and it will determine the success of the company at large.

High Energy

C-suite positions are demanding and require high mental and physical energy levels for success. Multitasking, juggling multiple projects, and completing a large variety of different tasks on a daily basis will be much easier if the executive naturally has high energy levels. High energy is conveyed through body language and enthusiasm, and it will be easy to recognize as it’s expressed in each and every interaction the executive candidate has with the hiring team.

Confidence

Small gestures often convey confidence. For example, a firm handshake, good eye contact, and a strong speaking voice speak volumes about a candidate. Without confidence, it’ll be nearly impossible to lead a company toward success. As long as confidence doesn’t become arrogant, it is an essential trait for executive talent.

Independence 

Being able to work independently and motivate oneself is another essential trait for executive hires. Let’s face it. No one is really monitoring C-suite executives, so being self-motivated and independent is an absolute necessity for staying on track and getting the job done. Independence is also essential when it comes to achieving goals and passing performance-based evaluations.

Personality can be evaluated via standardized assessments or more organically (and subjectively) through observations by the hiring team. The more searches your team conducts, the more your team members will be able to rely on their collective gut to make decisions. However, assessments can have their place as well to provide more in-depth information about personality traits that may or may not come out during an interview or meeting.

Patrice & Associates doesn’t contain its own personality assessments, but it can import the results into candidate profiles that can easily be compared. This helpful tool also enables communication between team members so you can share your observations about candidates’ personality traits and how they fit into your company’s C-suite needs. Thrive We streamline the process of executive recruiting, saving your in-house team time and effort while increasing the effectiveness of a search. From instant reports to data storage and analysis capabilities, Patrice & Associates Executive Search is one technology tool executive recruiting teams don’t want to be without.