Client FAQs

The Search & Placement Process

How does a search get started?
Getting started takes only about 15 minutes. One of our Account Executives contacts the direct hiring manager to learn about the contract assignment or permanent placement and its requirements. Our AE will ask the client multiple questions covering key topics including your company's corporate culture, technical skill set needed to perform the position, salary range and several other critical questions that will help us find the best candidates for the job.

How many resumes do you typically send for each search?
Gardner Resources is not a resume factory; we don't just press a button and shoot out 20 resumes from our database. Our goal is to send our clients only a handful of highly qualified, pre-screened candidates for each search.

How large is your database?
We have been building our database since 1996 so there are thousands upon thousands of candidate profiles and resumes in our database. However, the size of an organization's database is not the key to success. The quality and caliber of the profiles, as well as our relationships with these contacts, are more important than the length of our database.

How do you ensure your candidates' resumes accurately reflect their background?
Gardner Resources has been built on developing personal relationships with the people we represent. Our experienced recruiters interview candidates face-to-face and on the phone. We thoroughly reference check those candidates our clients are interested in hiring. In addition, most of the candidates represented by Gardner are referred to us by people who know us and who we have represented and helped over the years.

I've had mixed results when making an offer to candidates. I think they're going to say "yes," and then they take another job. Can you help ensure a successful offer?
Our role as an intermediary, negotiating and extending offers, creates a "win-win" situation for clients and candidates. Gardner Resources has a 98% offer-to-acceptance ratio, so clearly when you partner with us, you benefit from our expertise in the complete hiring process, including making the offer and having it accepted. Since we have known most candidates for years, we can uncover objections and potential obstacles to accepting an offer.

How do you maintain objectivity if you work with both the client and the candidate?
Our success is based on both our clients' and candidates' success. It's in our best interest to make a match both sides will be happy with.

Permanent Placement Information

How long will it take Gardner to find us a candidate?
A common but difficult question to answer. Success is based on a number of variables, from the marketplace and economy to the time of year and attractiveness of the position. However, since we have years of experience in the recruiting business, we can help clients match the specs of the job to the status of the marketplace at any given time.

What are your fees?
In keeping with industry standards, Gardner Resources receives a percentage of the candidate's base salary.

What steps do you take if a candidate isn't the right match?
Our "fall off" ratio—the number of candidates we place who leave their position within the first few months—averages just one person per year, the lowest in our industry. Our proactive placement approach is designed to anticipate or head off any problems that might develop. An orientation process gets each assignment off on the right foot. Our staff is in contact with the client and placed candidate regularly and addresses any problems or concerns.

Do you have a refund policy?
Yes. We are in close contact with our client and candidate throughout the placement process and after the placement occurs. We very seldom encounter a refund situation, but we abide by our fee refund policy when issues arise.

What levels of candidates do you work with?
Gardner Resources Group places candidates from entry level to the executive suite in the areas of traditional accounting and finance, tax, audit, and financial systems.