How We Work

A proven, seven-stage process to finding the right fit

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.

Click on the links below to read more about how we ensure you always place the right person in the right role.

Stage 1: Defining the role profile
Stage 1: Defining the role profile
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 the 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.
Stage 2: Exploring the talent pool
Stage 2: Exploring the talent pool
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 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 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 puttiing forward someone who is unsuitable. In situations like this, we offer a range of value-added options, from online branded advertising to campaign microsites, that will extend the reach. These kinds of options are particularly beneficial for high-profile roles where you need to take a branded message about the organisation to the wider market to attract the right calibre of person.
Stage 3: Matching people to the role profile
Stage 3: Matching people to the role profile
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 as we do with our clients, informing them of the application process and the timescales involved. The one thing the people we place appreciate above everything else is our communication – the fact that we proactively stay in touch.
Stage 4: Match-assessment and evaluation
Stage 4: Match-assessment and evaluation
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. This kind of profiling can be an invaluable interview aid for developing questions that probe strengths and areas for development, too.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.
Stage 5: Shortlisting, insight and interview
Stage 5: Shortlisting, insight and interview
Following evaluation, we will present the short-listed candidates, along with 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.
Stage 6: Offer management and salary negotiation
Stage 6: Offer management and salary negotiation
We will handle the verbal offer and acceptance process, followed up by written confirmation from your organisation. In a candidate-led market where competition for the best talent is fierce, 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. 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.
Stage 7: On-boarding and in-post development and support
Stage 7: On-boarding and in-post development and support

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 to ensure a smooth and successful transition.

Our strategic People & Change HR consultancy also offer in-post assessment and evaluation tools that enable you to predict future performance and fit. They help you focus your resources more cost effectively, identifying potential risk as well as highlighting areas for career-development investment, vital for the retention of the brightest and best leadership talent.

Working with fast-growing start-ups and SMEs to large corporates and public-sector organisations, 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.

I am delighted with the results that Seymour John, delivered for us during our recruitment for a specialist treasury role. The time Mark spent discussing the role with all of the candidates in the selection phase of the process proved to be invaluable, and I was presented with highly credible candidates at the interview stage. I would definitely use Seymour John in the future, and would recommend them to anyone looking to recruit for specialist roles.

Stuart Clarke

Head of Treasury, Secure Trust Bank

RAC recently appointed Seymour John for the recruitment of a Senior IT Auditor. I met with Darren Richards who demonstrated an excellent understanding of my requirements and was able to provide sound advice on the candidate market. Darren delivered a true consultancy service, communicating well with both me and the candidate – I am delighted with the final outcome of the process.

Gary Weller

Head of Internal Audit, RAC

We recently used Seymour John to aid in the recruitment of the permanent senior position of Finance Manager. Maria quickly identified suitable candidates based on both our requirements and the budget. Maria’s knowledge of the candidates helped enormously and she was able to suggest a few candidates in particular that she felt would be suitable but perhaps for which the CV hadn’t fully communicated the specific and relevant skill sets. Maria was very professional throughout the entire process and she has also shown a strong interest in the placement since the appointment. The candidate continues to meet our expectations.

Stuart Thomas

Head of Finance, Toast

The professionalism, honesty, consultancy advice & public sector expertise that John Lavictoire at Seymour John Public Services provided throughout the recruit process has been exemplary. He provided real science behind the recruitment process and they truly are more than a recruitment agency but a true consultancy and advisory business too. The consultancy advice I received from Kate Hardcastle in their HR Consultancy business enabled us to make insightful decisions regarding emotional/general intelligence and helped shape the type of questions we needed to ask. John Lavictoire and his team work very hard to understand you and your requirement and has great respect from his candidates. Seymour John Public Services organises everything for you and I found them to be highly credible and a delight to work with – A recruiter with Integrity.

Rob Wharton

Director of Resources and Company Secretary, Gloucester City Homes

Emma has provided an excellent recruitment service for me over a 10-year period. She is highly professional and always seeks to meet her client’s needs. She has provided excellent well-briefed candidates, who are invariably successful in not only securing the role, but who then go on to add significant value to the business that they have joined. My recent dealings with Seymour John lead me to believe that the firm shares Emma’s excellent behaviours and I heartily recommend them.

John Nickson

John Nickson, Managing Director, Wesleyan Assurance Society

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

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

Recruitment at its best.

John and his team recently placed me in my perfect role, and I have to say their recruitment process is the best I’ve come across. They took so much time to understand what I was looking for and to ultimately ensure the role I was placed in was a perfect fit.

As an employer, I wouldn’t use any other agency now I’ve been through their process as a candidate. They do so much of the work the employer usually would, saving you precious time, but more importantly giving you peace of mind you’re employing the right person. I look forward to working with them more in the future and highly recommend them to both candidates and employers.

Charlie Abraham

Assistant Director of Finance, Gloucester City Homes

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