Securing Critical Talent in Tough Conditions

Key takeaways

• Successfully filled a critical, specialized role after another talent agency was unable to deliver suitable candidates
• 4:1 resumes sent to placement ratio, overcoming location and compensation challenges, and limited candidate availability

The challenge

A public cybersecurity software company, based an hour outside Boston, was struggling to fill a Senior Product Counsel role. The position required a highly specialized skill set and faced several hurdles, including:

• Location constraints: Candidates were unwilling to commute to or relocate for the role
• Compensation mismatch: The offered salary was below the market rate
• High competition: The hiring market was at its peak, with candidates expecting flexibility and competitive offers

Another agency was already working on the search but faced difficulties sourcing suitable candidates. The position was critical to the client’s operations, as it was a backfill role rather than a new headcount, so they turned to Larson Maddox in urgent need of better support.

The solution

Our approach was rooted in quality over quantity. We prepared the client regarding candidate volume, highlighting that while the pool of applicants would be small, every individual presented would be a strong match for the role. 

The search focused on understanding the specific drivers and motivations of both the client and potential candidates, and over several weeks, only four resumes were shared. This process led us to a professional with over a decade of experience at a leading tech company who was seeking a fresh start in their career. The candidate’s desire for a new environment allowed for flexibility on compensation, a key factor in overcoming the salary gap. They progressed to an interview and ultimately secured the role.

The results

The successful placement addressed the client’s critical hiring need within a three month timeframe, despite the difficult compensation and location challenges. The selected candidate not only met the technical requirements of the role but also aligned with the company’s organizational goals. By leveraging our expertise in niche searches, we delivered a successful and seamless recruitment process.

Summary

Our ability to deliver results under challenging circumstances reinforces the importance of expertise and precision in specialized talent acquisition. By prioritizing quality candidates and deeply understanding both client and candidate motivations, we successfully secured a vital mid-senior hire for a public company in a difficult market.