Change & Transformation

Recruitment Challenge: finding quality candidates with the right cultural fit

Richard Kozlowski, Jimmy Choo, discusses his biggest recruitment challenge: finding quality candidates with the right cultural fit quickly.

“Having worked with Cedar for a number of years they have become the first port of call when I am looking to fill a position.  They have consistently delivered a selection of high-quality and well-vetted candidates to the business and most importantly candidates who are appropriate for the role on offer.  Clearly, a lot of thought and time goes in to this process and it is the mark of a great agency when the candidates are not only very targeted to the role but well prepared for the interview.

I have sourced both interims and permanent candidates and on the interim side, Cedar has the bench to be able to provide quality individuals quickly and efficiently.  The absolute key to our relationship has been the deep understanding by Cedar of our business, what we are looking for in people, and being able to provide candidates who fit the roles and culture of our company.”

“Cedar managed our most recent senior finance recruitment project. After taking a full briefing, they supplied candidates who matched the candidate specifications in terms of skill set and cultural fit. Cedar delivered on this important project in a highly efficient and professional manner and showed a level of enthusiasm and creativity above and beyond what I would call industry standard. I would have no hesitation in recommending them for any senior recruitment project.”

“We met with Cedar to describe the role and allow them to query, challenge and clarify as appropriate. Cedar also directly assessed the environment and expectations placed on a candidate and judged the support such candidate may realistically expect to receive in a very challenging situation. As a result, the shortlist of interviewees Cedar organised for us to meet within the week was outstanding and testimony to the care and attention received from the original investment! Prompt, focused, empathetic advice and service, couldn’t ask for more.”

“Cedar has been my personal agency of choice for the last 10 years and we instructed them exclusively to help in the recruitment of our Finance Manager. Due to the strict confidentiality surrounding the hire, Cedar exercised the upmost discretion when discussing the role with potential candidates and allowed us the use of their offices to conduct all interviews and discussions privately. We gave Cedar a very broad brief for the person we required, both in terms of experience and part-time / full-time contracts. By clearly understanding our business, Cedar gave sound advice on our options and provided a shortlist of very viable candidates. The quality provided was exceptional meaning we only needed to interview three candidates. This made our time investment to find the right person minimal and the process from initial meeting to offer stage took just three weeks. I would recommend Cedar for their efficient and highly effective service and will be using Cedar for any future hires we make.”

“We enlisted the help of Cedar for the recruitment of two Financial Controller Positions on both a permanent and interim basis, and they did a great job. Cedar knows their candidates extremely well and by listening to our requirements they were able to fully understand exactly what we were looking for. As a result, Cedar was able to deliver two excellent candidates who could not only undoubtedly do the job but who were also a brilliant fit for our company. I would have no hesitation in recommending Cedar and would definitely use them again when we are looking to recruit in the future.”

David Bridgford, Corporate Finance Director at Merlin Entertainments discusses how finding candidates with the right cultural fiDavid Bridgford, Corporate Finance Director at Merlin Entertainments discusses how finding candidates with the right cultural fit is a key challenge for the business.t is a key challenge for the business.

“After struggling to recruit a Finance Manager with suitable restaurant experience, I was introduced to Cedar by our new MD and the step change in the both the quality of candidates and the focus/support from the team was immediately evident. They successfully placed a candidate, initially on a short term basis which subsequently became permanent. The professionalism and expertise that Cedar exude is impressive and is the reason why I haven’t looked elsewhere since that first recruit. From from both a business, and more recently a personal perspective, they offer impartial career guidance.”