Most HR directors recognise that headhunters such as Pinnacle play a valuable role in the recruitment process.(10)............Some are concerned that a few companies, including Pinnacle, have too much power over high-level recruitment.(11)............As Tim Davidson, HR Director at Cawfield Bank, explains, They can be kingmakers. These are the people who decide who gets a future and who doesn't. If Edwards forms a view about an individual, it can affect their ability to get a particular job. That view could just have been formed on a bad day.' (12)............ Final decisions in the selection process are always taken by his clients, he says, whoever they are.</p> The role of headhunters should not be exaggerated. Many companies never use them. But as top executives are hard to find, there will always be a role for people like Matthew Edwards., r' K$ N5 k8 {6 {6 e
A Although others may put it lower, it is important to remember that the company's reputation is not based on market share alone.* w) Q/ a% K9 W+ p
B Their chief worry is that the headhunters can now make or break managerial careers.' K4 d" W# d/ h2 J0 ^
C According to Edwards, this is a further indication that the way Pinnacle searches for a candidate tends to favour a certain type of manager.
1 o3 f+ t" G' J0 @! [: V, {) S$ l D But this acceptance does not mean they are universally happy, either with the state of the market or with Pinnacle's role within it.- V7 h0 s. ]2 {- S |+ U* P
E Until a few years ago, even the biggest companies were unlikely to use headhunters to fill more than one or two jobs a year.2 [7 Z! B6 b, K7 D: p
F Edwards objects to this suggestion, claiming that all he does is find candidates and encourage them to apply for a particular post.8 v" z ~$ j) S
8 u+ x) o! v* t, A1 [ G A number of big investment banks recently decided to make changes to their management boards after disappointing end-of-year results. |