As part of our ongoing series ‘Meet the Expert’, we are delighted to introduce you to Joe Harkness, a seasoned executive search professional with a wealth of experience in the industry. With over a decade of expertise in the field, Joe has established himself as a respected and accomplished professional in the world of recruitment.
In this exclusive interview, Joe shares his journey, insights, and advice for those looking to build a successful career in executive search.
Q: Can you share a bit about your background and how you got started in recruitment?
My career began in broadcasting, where I worked on Premier League and FA cup football broadcasting for ESPN. However, the travel became too much, and I knew several friends who thought my work ethic and entrepreneurial spirit would be useful in recruitment. And so, I made the transition.
Q: What pivotal experiences or moments shaped your career path within recruitment?
Meeting Clive and Tamlyn. I was previously in a role focused on temporary recruitment in a sector I knew little about and lacked passion for, and they were honestly the catalyst to me becoming a good recruiter. I also enjoy the dynamics of this industry and what can be achieved with hard work.
Q: Could you elaborate on your areas of specialization and the types of clients you typically work with?
I work with retained executive search firms and place experienced hires. I have assisted partners, experienced revenue-producing consultants, as well as experienced researchers, to assess and secure new, diverse, and exciting opportunities. I have also been retained by the largest firms in the world to find exceptional talent across international locations.
Q: Can you share some memorable placements or projects that stand out in your career?
The first retainer I won, then filled. I could also tell you the very first recruiter I placed into a role, their name, age, and what they’re doing now, although now all protected with GDPR!
Q: What are some of the significant challenges you’ve encountered in recruitment, and how have you overcome them?
I have found my biggest challenge to be letting go of the stuff that you cannot control. You can control the controllable, but for the rest, if you are nice to people, 9/10 they will respect you and value your efforts.
Q: How do you define success in executive search, both for your clients and candidates?
Being happy that you’ve done what you can to assist people achieve their goals. If that is something small like providing an insight that they didn’t have previously, or help to negotiate a salary, it’s all the little “wins” along the way that keep this job interesting.
Q: From your perspective, what are some emerging trends or shifts in the executive search industry, and how do you adapt to them?
In 10 years this landscape has changed considerably. Clients ask executive search firms to offer more solutions, thanks to the emergence of technology and the data-led approach to executive search there are plenty of new solutions which can be tailored to demands, which were simply not available back then. The Industry is always changing, which at times presents challenges but those who adapt, overcome!
Q: What advice would you give to someone looking to build a successful career in executive search?
Go to the office. Be present. You have two ears and one mouth for a reason. Work hard. Be nice. Try to learn from all the experiences you encounter. It’s fairly straight forward.
Q: Beyond work, what passions or interests do you pursue outside of the office?
I support Newcastle United, vehemently (“die hard”). I walk my 7-year-old dog Nelly far and wide, and have recently rediscovered cycling – I have always, and will always refuse to wear Lycra and when I travel to the Netherlands on a 4-day cycling holiday next month, I might look out of place, but at least I won’t look like a man in my mid-30’s that hasn’t given up on becoming the next Bradley Wiggins.
Q: Looking ahead, what do you envision for the future of executive search, and how do you plan to stay at the forefront of the industry?
The future of executive search is exciting because the way business is conducted in constantly changing to meet the demands of all involved, and in order to evolve, I have to make sure that I have my finger on the pulse about latest trends, inside or key industry information. I must keep networking with key industry stakeholders and continuing to provide honest, transparent and successful solutions for my network.
As Joe celebrates 10 years at Carlin Hall, it’s clear that his passion for executive search, combined with his expertise and dedication, have made him a respected professional in the industry. We’re grateful for his insights and look forward to seeing what the future holds for him.
