Answers to Common Questions About Nonprofit Search Services
How does a search firm work?
Our firm helps nonprofits hire intelligently. From preparing the organization to undergo a transition to recruiting the right candidate, a search firm can facilitate an otherwise complex and overwhelming task. The result is a great new leader in place and smooth transition for your nonprofit.
Search firms work with organizations to find the best person to fill an open position. Placement firms work with individuals to help them find employment. Capability Company is a search firm that contracts with nonprofit organizations to execute searches.
We work for the best interest of our clients. We don't charge individuals any fees for forwarding their candidacy to a client. We forward an individual's candidacy only when his or her credentials and experience meet the qualifications of the client organization.
We can sort through resumes ourselves. Why should my organization hire a search firm?
A search firm actively recruits candidates who are happy in their current positions and would rarely answer a classified ad. Many times, a person actively looking for job is not the best applicant. We don't just sort through resumes; we do research, make calls on your behalf and pique the best candidate's interest in your organization and its mission.
We build relationships and networks with potential candidates who are "passive" job seekers.
Another reason to hire a search firm is to proactively assess organizational needs that may be a critical aspect of deciding whom to hire. Hiring is a good time to take stock of the organization and where it's going, especially if the open position is an executive director or senior administrator.
What types of searches does Capability Company do?
The majority of our searches are for executive directors, presidents and chief executive officers, senior fundraising personnel, chief financial officers, top program positions and program officers.
We work in the arenas of health, higher education, K-12 education, environmental, arts, social service, mental health and substance abuse, foundations, and any other type of nonprofit organization.
Will our organization advertise the position as well?
The service we offer includes recommending publications for classified ads and with your approval, placing the ads on your behalf. The ad cost is paid for by the client.
It is possible to do a great search without running any classified ads. An indirect benefit of advertising the position is that it creates a “buzz” about the position—building awareness about your organization and creating an environment where the potential candidate is even more pleased to be invited to apply through the recruiting process.
What if we aren't satisfied with the first few candidates?
Capability Company's goal is to make sure we find the person best suited for you and your organization. If the first few candidates are unsatisfactory, we will sit down and regroup, further defining what you want in a candidate. Depending on what the job market is like in your area, we may recommend changes in the benefit package to attract the level of candidate you are seeking. The bottom line is this: we keep looking until you are satisfied.
How long does the search process take? We are in a hurry.
A thorough search takes anywhere from two weeks to twelve months. Most searches take 2-4 months to complete.
Do you report your progress to the board or the staff or both?
Capability Company frequently touches base with our clients to tell them how the search is going and to request additional information and feedback.
The structure of reporting depends on the wishes of the client. Normally, we report to the position's direct supervisor. In the case of an executive director, president or chief executive officer, we report to the board, perhaps through an appointed search committee.
What is a retained search? What is a contingency search? Do you do both?
In a retained search, the organization contracts with one company to provide consulting and candidates for the search. All “bluebird” candidates—people who are chance applicants—are directed to the search firm to be screened and put through the comprehensive process just like any other candidate.
In a contingency search, the search firm is only compensated when the organization hires a candidate the search firm produces. In this scenario, the organization and search firm may actually be in competition to find the best candidate more quickly.
The search firm only provides candidates, not consulting, so they may not understand all the issues facing the organization when they put forth candidates. Unfortunately, this arrangement doesn't make for a very productive relationship between the organization and the search firm.
A good search firm that has entered a retained agreement will consult with the client, help them prepare to hire by guiding organizational development functions and expertly take them through each step of the hiring process. That's why it's to the advantage of the organization to retain a search firm instead of hiring a firm on contingency.
Capbility Company does only retained searches.
What contacts does Capability Company have?
Through more than twelve years as a fundraiser in a variety of different types of organizations, I have personally developed many contacts with nonprofit professionals. Sherry Heuser, senior consultant has connected with colleagues in her years as nonprofit professional and with her active role as a volunteer in several community organizations.
Bryan Orander, senior consultant in our Indianapolis office, has more than 20 years of management and fundraising experience in the nonprofit world and a network of loyal subscribers to his e-zine, the Not-for-Profit News published for readers in Central Indiana. With Nonprofit Oyster, which has a working database of more than 4,000 nonprofit professional contacts, we have developed a network of more than 10,000 nonprofit professionals nationwide.
Where does Capability Company do business?
Much of our work has been in North Carolina near our main office. In addition, we have conducted searches for organizations in Illinois, Florida and Ohio. We recently opened an office in Indiana. We are open to working anywhere in the United States and Canada.
What if the new person doesn't work out?
Capability Company offers a 90-day guarantee. If the new hire leaves for any reason during the first 90 days, Capability Company will do the search again for free, less expenses.
I'm a candidate interested in exploring new opportunities. How do I let Capability Company know about my interest?
If there is a specific position on our Web site that interests you, follow the directions at the bottom of the position profile to submit your credentials. If you'd like to receive our jobseeker's ezine that offers tips on resume formatting and interviewing, you can sign up here. When you sign up for this list, you'll also receive specific position announcements when they become available. You can confidentially post your profile on Nonprofit Oyster for free to let nonprofit employers know about your credentials. Please visit our Jobseekers page for more in-depth information.
The search process seems costly. How can our nonprofit afford to hire a search firm?
A search firm can save your nonprofit money in two ways. First, the search may go more quickly with a search firm.
The more quickly you hire, the more quickly you can get back to raising funds and implementing other vital programs. If you have a salary budgeted for the position, you may be able to use the unpaid salary created by the vacancy to hire a search firm.
Capability Company has developed a helpful tool to help you weigh the costs of using a search firm vs. giving it a go on your own. Try our calculators and wizards to see if using a search firm is the right move for you.
Why should I hire Capability Company instead of another firm?
Capability Company operates in a unique niche in a unique way. First, we are one of a handful of search firms nationwide that serve only nonprofits.
Having a boutique firm allows us to maintain the right contacts in one field and not only deliver the highest quality candidates, but bring to bear our team with 50 plus years of combined experience—who have worked in organizations just like yours. Some consultants provide organizational development but don't engage in an active search. We sometimes work in tandem with consultants who conduct your needs assessment. Then we deliver candidates based on their findings.
Second, with our years of combined experience in the nonprofit field, we understand your specific challenges and needs. As a result of that experience, we've conducted dozens of successful searches for all types of nonprofit professionals. Finally, our mission goes deeper than finding the right candidates. When we serve as your partner, we care just as much about the success of your organization as you do.
We give you our undivided attention to find out what your needs are—and whether it's within the scope of the search or not, we'll do what it takes to help your nonprofit succeed. We are dedicated both to the sector and to the inspirational work you do.
If I hire Capability Company for my search what can I expect?
A lot. We jump into action quickly, setting up interviews with your hand-picked constituents to get their input about the position. At the same time, you'll receive a proposed timeline for the search, a list of contents for candidate informational packets and recommended outreach efforts for the search.
We'll craft your detailed position profile and keep you updated on our research and calls every step of the way.
When it's time to look at the top candidates, we'll present them to you in a format that's easy to read and compare, that will enhance your ability to make good judgments about whom to interview. Click here to see pictures of our candidate presentation notebook.
And we're always available for unlimited phone and e-mail support at any time during your search. When we near the end of your search, we will help you develop and extend an offer to the right candidate.
We even provide coaching for both the hirer and the hired during the first three months of the candidate's tenure. In other words, we help take the worry and uncertainty out of hiring.
