SearchPath of Chicago News
Five Minute Friday – Mark Ragland
As a continuation of our new series – “Five Minute Friday” – we’re introducing you to Mark Ragland, Vice President, Science & Agriculture. Mark brings 17 years of experience in the recruiting business and has built his success by focusing on details and building strong relationships with clients. He has consistently ranked in the top 10% in placement revenue across all of SearhPath’s offices, proving that he continues to meet client needs.
What drew you to the field of recruitment?
I was never much of a corporate traditionalist and recruitment offered me opportunity to manage my own boutique corporation from a single desk.
What is your favorite client story?
There have been too many years of client stories to choose a single favorite. My favorite story type, however, has always involved helping my clients solve mission-critical searches and delivering candidates that exceed expectations.
What do you find the most interesting about the Science & Agriculture sector?
This sector is at the forefront of innovation for all the world’s consumables, influencing how we will eat and use resources in the coming decades.
How have the challenges of 2020 changed the way you approach recruiting?
The challenges of 2020 are scarcely different from the challenges of 2009 or 2001. It’s a recession – in a recession, we put greater emphasis on business development and focus more exclusively on mission critical searches. It is important as well to hold the line with fee percentages and to impart to our clients the benefits of mutually committed searches. A miss-hire in these times would be particularly devastating to a struggling company.
Fun fact about you?
It’s important to remember to have fun and keep one’s spirits high in life and at work. We keep music playing in the background throughout the day, and a great release after about 20-25 stressful phone calls is to dance to music for a few moments without worry of how one looks. If you were to visit our office and catch me in such a moment, it would certainly give you a good chuckle.
Recruiting Industry News & Articles
Five Minute Friday – Patrick Reedy
The next spotlight in our new series – “Five Minute Friday” – is Patrick Reedy, Managing Director, Polymers, Pigments and Coatings. Patrick has 12 years of experience as a executive search consultant. His passion for the role and dedication to clients has allowed him to serve a variety of industries which now translates to the niche markets that he manages for SearchPath of Chicago.
With 12 years as an executive search consultant, what keeps you excited?
I am in a business that literally can change people’s lives and build business’ all in one project and then get to do it all over again the next project.
What is your most memorable client story?
I think they are all memorable but the one that comes to mind is when I was searching for a specific background in polymer research and happened to find the candidate in Singapore doing a postdoc. I thought it may be a stretch to present someone so far away, but things worked out and the rest is history.
What is unique to the Polymers, Pigments and Coatings sector?
It is a segment that is ever evolving with strong growth projections. In addition, breakthroughs in research can happen literally any day which make it exciting.
How have the challenges of 2020 changed the way you approach recruiting?
2020 has presented its challenges to all industries and individuals but it has evolved the way that company’s hire. I have had to adapt to the current technology trends as well as video interviews. It takes another level of patience and persistence to make the match between candidate and company happen with these evolutions.
Fun fact about you?
When not working I enjoy live music of all sorts and love to play golf and skiing.
Your Business is Only as Strong as Your Team: Keep Them
By Chris Hillman, Recruiting Professional
SearchPath of Chicago, Inc.
searchpathofchicago.com
Organizations are only as strong as the staff that they have which is why it’s important to keep your top talent and addexceptional talent. We’ll get into how you should go about finding new talent next, but we want to share with you some tips on how you can positively enhance your company’s retention.
- Clear Paths to Advancement – Giving employees an understanding of where their career is going with the company allows them to see their future. Without they conversation and plan, employees might start to fear becoming stagnant and begin to look outside for advancement opportunities. The other half of this equation is to help them get there – provide education, training, attendance at conferences, etc. This extra step lets them know you’re serious about their growth and if you’re invested in their success, they will become more invested in the company.
- Benefits – One of the first questions on a new employee’s mind is, “what are the benefits?”. That’s normal – healthcare, pay, PTO all play into work-life balance and taking care of families. However, benefits go beyond just the normal standards. Companies could look into stock options and other financial rewards to help employees stay engaged and motivated.
- Communication – it seems simple but yet, for many employees this is a reason that look to leave organizations. In fact, 63% of employees state that lack of communication is a reason they have considered quitting their job. Being transparent and honest with frequent communication is a simple yet effective method to keep staff engaged over time.
- Be Flexible – Understand that everyone has lives outside of work and be open to working with flexible working environments and schedules. Given the current state of work force in the US, it’s a great opportunity to offer permanent work from home options for employees.
Understanding how to keep you top team members and positive retention is one of the first steps to building a strong team. Next step to building your team is to find the top talent.
For additional information, please email Chris Hillman or call (815) 261-4403 x 100