News - Executek Recruiting Partners

The Pitfalls of Accepting a Counteroffer

By Brad Stemmler | Published February 23, 2026

So, you’ve received a good new job offer. Sure, you’re a bit nervous, but also excited. After much thought, you decide to take the offer and turn in your resignation. Then your current employer surprises you and makes a counteroffer. Should you take it or even consider it? It’s a difficult decision that many of us have had to face and the correct answer isn’t so clear-cut. There is a lot to consider with regards to counteroffers but, with the proper thought process, you should be able to recognize the pitfalls and make a wise decision.

Beyond the Fee: How Search Firms Actually Save You Money on Hiring

By Brad Stemmler | Published March 21, 2025

Hiring the wrong person is a costly mistake. Beyond the salary, consider the onboarding expenses, lost productivity, potential client dissatisfaction, and the time and resources spent on recruiting a replacement. That’s where a search firm can be a surprisingly cost-effective solution.

While the initial fee for a search firm might seem like an added expense, it often translates into significant long-term savings. Here’s how:

How to Determine Compensation and Maintain a Competitive Pay Structure

By Brad Stemmler | Published December 8, 2024

Determining compensation for roles within your company can be challenging. Depending on the availability of talent, skill set required, industry competition and changing workplace dynamics, remaining competitive can seem anywhere from difficult to nearly impossible. Recognizing this, I’ve put together a list of ideas you can use to remain competitive for top talent without engaging in an endless stream of bidding wars.

Open Letter to College Graduates

By Gene Hankey | Published June 27, 2024

Dear Graduate,

Congratulations and welcome to the workforce! I see all of you bright young adults graduating and you have your entire life (and career) in front of you. So many opportunities and challenges await you and your brand-new degree. All of those years of schooling and you are ready to take on the world.

Recognizing the Right Candidate

By Brad Stemmler | Published March 12, 2024

Identifying the right candidate isn’t always easy when recruiting. Especially when it seems there are too few OR too many candidates to consider for a critical position in your company. We often feel doubt when the candidate pool is thin and option anxiety can occur with too many candidates. So how do you recognize the right candidate?

Often Overlooked Recruiting Strategies

By Brad Stemmler | Published April 7, 2021

In today’s connected world, it’s easy to fall into the trap of recruiting reactively and overlook certain effective recruiting practices. Let’s face it. Sometimes it just seems we are investing too much time with the wrong candidates. I’ve put together a list of often overlooked strategies that can help you recruit more effectively and efficiently. Don’t forget to make these ideas part of your normal recruiting practice.

How to Stand Out as a Job Seeker

By Brad Stemmler | Published March 1, 2021

Since the start of the pandemic, the unemployment rate has spiked and fallen, but there are still more candidates competing for fewer jobs (source). It has become extremely important to stand out as a job seeker to improve your chances at landing the job you want. Here are some tips a person can use to gain the attention of prospective employers. If you are in the midst of a job search, consider these 6 items to improve your odds.

Who Was That Masked Man?

By Gene Hankey | Published February 10, 2021

In the age of COVID, masks, and social distancing it can be difficult to get a good read on people. It can be especially difficult when you are meeting someone the first time. I am constantly meeting people whose faces I never get to see. It seems like everyone that I meet looks like the next-door neighbor, Wilson, from the TV show “Home Improvement”. While this can hamper getting to know someone, it’s a significant challenge when trying to decide if a person is right for a job.

Advantages of Using a Retained Search Firm

By Brad Stemmler | Published February 3, 2021

What are the advantages of using a retained search firm? Should you use one? Many people have asked me why a company should use a retained search firm when they can outsource a search to multiple recruiters without retaining (this is called contingency or contingent recruiting). It’s a fair question and, being transparent, it is the most challenging aspect of selling retained search services. There are significant advantages to using a retained search firm. They may not be obvious, so I’ve detailed these benefits to make it easier to decide if a retained search is right for you.

Hiring is Like Trying to Buy a Dream House

By Gene Hankey | Published January 25, 2021

Everyone has seen a family on television, buying their dream house. In 30 minutes, the homebuyers go from first meeting with the realtor to hosting their first dinner party with friends and family in their new home. Easy… Right? That works great in TV Land, but in reality the process can be time consuming and very frustrating. We can spend countless hours reviewing listings and touring homes that don’t check all the boxes. Often, we end up lowering our expectations to find something “acceptable”.

724.550.1111

The Searchlight Recruiting Blog