As senior executives know, keeping a balanced perspective is crucial to successful decision-making, but, when it comes to juggling multiple job offers, some battle to keep their wits about them.
Madge Gibson, a senior associate at Jack Hammer Executive Headhunters, says: “The reality of the skills shortage in South Africa means that some well-qualified and experienced candidates may often receive competing job offers.
“Trying to choose the best, career-enhancing role and the most suitable personal option can leave a candidate in a quagmire of indecision.”
According to Gibson, a common mistake senior executives make is to neglect to consider the full picture of the new position. “They may be enticed by a company’s ‘brand’ or public image without thinking through the job itself.
“The result is that a candidate can end up working for a company that adds kudos to his/her CV in terms of brand, but, they become trapped in a role with limited challenges or future growth. These candidates typically move jobs again with two to three years.
“Another point to consider, apart from the challenges of the job itself, is the importance of assessing the dynamics of the team within which a candidate will work, the company culture and the personality of the individual to whom the employee will report.”
A significant number of placement failures at senior levels are a direct result of incompatible culture matches, Gibson notes.
Remember, the larger the corporate, the stronger the culture. “Being placed through a headhunter usually provides a candidate with the inside-track on organisational culture and a better idea of the dynamics of the management team.”