We are advocates for both you and the prospective candidates we put forward; after all, a successful outcome will be the right fit for both parties. Ours is a tailored process, of listening, understanding and forensic evaluation and assessment over a series of refining stages, from initial consultation to on-boarding and in-post support and development.
Our starting point is to listen in order to develop a profound understanding of your business – its culture, organisational objectives, products, services, financial performance, market perception, competitive environment and position within your industry sector.
We consult with key stakeholders to understand the role and its value to your organisation – the technical/capability requirements and responsibilities as well as the necessary emotional intelligence and interpersonal attributes required. We will then compile a detailed profile of the ideal candidate and agree delivery timescales.
We offer our partners a breadth and depth of industry experience and insight across a range of sectors and organisational structures that bring an objective clarity to the most complex of people-search challenges. Built over many years, our proven track record in the regions we serve, means we are uniquely positioned to leverage extensive talent networks and referrals to help you find the right people to give you the competitive edge.
Because many of our engagements require such unique skill-sets, we also have the value-added option of delving discreetly into a deep pool of ‘passive’ talent to find your exact match. Our specialist, human-touch, quality-over-quantity approach means we consistently find the right fit.
Our reputation is built on integrity and trust. In the rare instance that we can’t find a suitable match, we’ll tell you. We won’t ever waste your time by putting forward someone who is unsuitable. In situations like this, we will recommend online branded advertising options and campaign microsites. This approach can be of particular relevance, anyway, when you need to bring a particular message about the organisation or role(s) to the wider market.
Taking the time to build and manage relationships effectively is crucial for a successful outcome. Stage 3 is the flipside of Stage 1, where, this time, we listen carefully to our candidates, ensuring their career aspirations, work–life balance, personal development needs, technical capability, cultural fit and behavioural characteristics are clearly understood and align with any opportunities we discuss and share.
We take the same rigorous approach in assessing, challenging and supporting candidates, throughout the process, as we do with our clients, informing them of the application process and the timescales involved, offering expert insight and advice, every step of the way. The one thing the people we place appreciate above everything else is our communication – the fact that we proactively stay in touch.
We utilise a comprehensive range of sophisticated profiling and testing tools to give you the in depth and accurate insight to make the right decision. As part of a selection process these tools take you beyond a limiting and not always reliable past-performance-and-experience approach to a more holistic, accurate and predictive model that also profiles a candidate’s personality, emotional intelligence and interpersonal style.
Your specific context is our defining criterion. It is a proven approach that enables us to predict a prospective employee’s ability to adapt and develop within an organisation, ensuring a cultural as well as technical-capabilities-based fit. This is especially common practice for CEO, executive, director, senior management and other key strategic appointments.
Short-listed candidates are presented with significant additional background information and consultant recommendations. As appropriate, we share our in-depth evaluation reports – detailing capabilities and competencies in relation to the ideal profile, their strengths, and potential for development. This enables you to probe any particular areas of significance or concern further, during interviews. After each interview stage, feedback is obtained and interest levels carefully monitored.
We will handle the verbal offer and acceptance process, followed up by written confirmation from your organisation. Our extensive experience in promoting offers to prospective appointees can make the difference between acceptance and rejection. As your representative, our role is to provide a sounding board for candidates and resolve any outstanding issues or concerns they may have. It is at this stage that references are thoroughly checked. Our in depth market knowledge means we are uniquely placed to advise on an equitable remuneration and benefits package as part of the contractual negotiations.
Ours is a holistic, integrated approach that offers clients complete solutions – from search and selection through to employee evaluation, engagement and development. We’re in it for the long haul. We want to see your new employee flourish and your business thrive, which is why we support the appointee through their notice period, and beyond. The evaluation process continues in post, to highlight any development opportunities and ensure a smooth and successful transition.
Seymour John were my first and only port of call. Lee was straight on the case and took the time to fully understand my needs. I’m pleased to say we recruited an outstanding individual. I have no hesitation recommending Lee and the firm for recruitment requirements. Personally I wouldn’t use anyone else.
Kerry Davies
Director of Finance & Information, Severn Hospice
I am delighted with the results that Maria and Seymour John have delivered during our search for a Senior Finance Manager at Swansea Building Society. She understood both us as a business and how the new appointment would add value and play a key role in our future success. She was able to provide insightful information on the availability of relevant candidates in the market, her thorough understanding of our requirement fully assured me that her recommendations would be of the right calibre.
Maria’s ability to identify and attract suitable candidates has proved to be invaluable and I was presented with a highly credible shortlist at interview stage. I look forward to working with Seymour John in the future and would recommend them to anyone looking to recruit for specialist finance roles.
Alun Williams
CEO, Swansea Building Society
We have worked with Seymour John for approximately 3 years and since the start of our relationship they have provided us with a first class service both in terms of the candidates, but also the speed with which they have reacted to our requirements. They have become one of our primary suppliers of contract resources and, in particular, in the specialist area of compliance/corporate governance arenas where they have become the lead supplier. They work very hard in ensuring that they understand their client’s business, and its particular needs, and this helps ensure that they match what the client needs to the resources they have available. It is a very straightforward relationship which is appreciated by us and they are very easy to work with. I have no hesitation in recommending this firm.
Graeme Yorston
Group Chief Executive, Principality Building Society
The quality and potential suitability of all candidates was a testament to Michelle’s clear understanding of our situation…. Seymour John will now be my first point of call should we need to recruit in the future.
Gareth Haynes
Finance Director, Bowers Jones
Phil actually listens to what you are looking for and offers professional advice when it’s needed. His dedication to a job and his ability to sound out the right people meant he placed all 3 of our available positions against tough competition from other agencies. Keep up the good work Phil
Wesley Burrage-Jones
Finance Director, UTC Aerospace
Jordan was a great help to us in the recruitment of our Finance Assistant. It was great that he visited us to have face to face meetings to understand our requirements and discuss which candidates we should interview. We were kept up to date at every stage of the recruitment process. The whole exercise was structured to our needs with minimal disruption, allowing us to carry on with what we do best. We would definitely use Seymour John in the future
Emma Stanley
Management Accountant, BCRS Business Loans
Since the inception of our relationship with Seymour John, we have had a first class service. Not only in terms of quality of the candidates that have been available to us, but also the speed with which they have been able to get them into the firm, often at very short notice. Seymour John have become our primary supplier of contract resource in the compliance/corporate governance areas. Their commitment to understanding their clients’ needs, responding at super speed to those and proactively engaging with us to make sure that we have a strong and productive relationship has made this a very easy choice for us.
Elaine Morris
Head of Conduct and Compliance, Sainsbury's Bank
Darren at Seymour John has been a pleasure to deal with throughout our most recent recruitment process. Personable and professional, he has recommended high quality candidates and ensured the process has been smooth for all parties. I have been very impressed by Seymour John, and look forward to continuing to work closely with Darren and the team in the future.
Michelle Pearce
Chief Investment Officer, Wealthify
Seymour John’s personable and professional approach was refreshing compared with my experience of working with agencies. Simon Lowe listened to what I needed and quickly identified an ideal candidate demonstrating he had clearly understood and carefully considered my requirements. His approach is consultative and not pushy, he simply delivered the service that I needed while allowing us to work at our own pace to recruit the right candidate. I would certainly use Seymour John to recruit in the future and would not hesitate to recommend their services.
Vaughan Reid
Finance Manager, Integrated Water Services Ltd
I normally would NEVER work with recruitment companies due to dreadful experiences in the past. Phil was recommended by a respected associate and he is different. He works very hard to understand you and your requirement and earns great respect from his candidates. He organises everything and whilst recruitment is expensive, Phil gives a top quality service. A recruiter with Integrity.
Mike Jordan
Managing Director, Summit Systems Ltd
