aalto1 untyped-item.component.html
The candidate experience of executive leaders in a recruitment process: The case of an international executive search company operating in Finland
Loading...
URL
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
School of Business |
Master's thesis
Electronic archive copy is available via Aalto Thesis Database.
Authors
Date
Department
Major/Subject
Mcode
Degree programme
Language
en
Pages
98
Series
Abstract
The aim of this study is to understand how executive level candidates perceive the candidate experience in a recruitment process by looking at fairness perceptions and their overall satisfaction. The purpose is to fill in a clear research gap regarding how the seniority of the candidate influences the experience as prior studies have been focused on lower-level recruitments. Additionally, the topic is explored from a recruitment process outsourcing perspective which also has only limited prior research.
The research follows a case study design and focuses on the case of a global executive search company operating in Finland. A qualitative approach was chosen and data has been collected through semi-structured interviews as well as participant observation. The interviewed people were recruiters working at the case company and candidates who had participated in a recruitment process with the case company during the last year. The data was analyzed using a thematic analysis approach.
The findings of this study show that the candidate experience on executive level is relative and cognitive emotional. Additionally, the role of the executive search company mediates the relationship between the client and candidate which influences the candidate experience. Also, high level of professionalism and valuing the candidates time and efforts was expected from the recruitment process. Lastly, candidates valued a strong relationship between the recruiter and the candidate which was found to be influential on the candidate experience.
It can be concluded that the candidate experience and satisfaction of the executive level candidates is influenced by the perceived fairness of the recruitment and should be focused on. Moreover, understanding the impactful role of the recruiter and client as well as focusing on designing the process to be suitable for individuals who are busy, and value professionalism is vital.