The CEO search challenge: Why finding top executives is taking longer than ever
It now often takes 9-12 months to fill a vacant CEO or CXO position, especially when the search is for seasoned professionals in specialised areas such as renewables, semiconductors, chemicals, hightech manufacturing, automotive and electric vehicles, pharmaceuticals and hardcore product engineering, they said. Usually, a senior executive search used to be closed in 3-4 months in times when the demand-supply mismatch was not so acute as it has been in the last one year.
There is an increasing trend among senior professionals to have exploratory chats. Some may also not accept the offer made at the very last minute. It is all a result of a leadership market where demand for talent — especially in some of the newer areas — far out surpasses supply,” said the head of HR at a large industrial company, who did not wish to be named. This is one of the reasons why companies are increasingly building a leadership pipeline nternally, the HR head said. The internal candidate in such cases is given preference over an external executive even if the former is only 60% ready to take charge. But in case of specialised roles, often there is no option but to look for professionals outside.
The acute demand-supply shortage is prompting companies to look at hiring Indians returning home and expats, which is further adding to the delay in filling the vacancies. About 35-50% of the searches include looking at the global candidate pool besides domestic candidates.
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