The context

The organisation is a major scientific research facility located in the southern suburbs of Sydney. Federally funded, it has a high profile in Australia but its unique environment means that sourcing appropriately qualified staff can be a challenge.

Intervention

The task was to recruit a senior specialist research scientist to lead a newly established laboratory. The client had been unsuccessfully trying to source a suitable candidate for six months and so decided to undertake confidential search. In consultation with the client, it was decided to focus on Europe and the USA as there was no one suitable in Australia. A campaign was developed whereby major research laboratory were targeted, candidates identified and approached confidentially. All interviews were conducted by telephone and a shortlist of three potential candidates, all from Europe, was presented to the client.

Outcome

After initial interviews by teleconferencing, two candidates were brought to Australia. Client interviews were by panel and the consultant was invited to be a participant. . When one candidate withdrew due to family reasons, the second candidate was selected and relocated successfully to Australia.