Walk me through your approach when asked to poach a specific executive for your client.

How to Answer
1st Answer Example
2nd Answer Example

In recruitment, the term poaching refers to the act of decidedly pursuing top talent from a competitor. For instance, if Microsoft recruiters were given instructions to lure employees specifically from Apple, that would be poaching.

In some regions, this act is considered illegal. In other areas, it's an ethical grey area. In other parts of the world or some industries, its expected and understood. In a highly competitive industry, poaching may be a regular practice as corporations want to employ the best of the best. Discuss if you have ever been asked to poach a specific person for your client, and what your approach may be.

"I believe poaching is the name of the game in executive recruitment. Frankly, if a corporation does not want to lose their top people to their competitors, they should make sure their overall employment package and experience is the best in their industry. If a client asks me to approach a specific person, I certainly will, but I will also encourage them to compare to at least two other candidates. Competition for a role should be fair. In my opinion, the recruitment process is always the most effective when you can benchmark candidates against one another."

"When I first started in recruitment, there were many 'no poaching' agreements between corporations, as a formal truce. Then, the US Department of Justice abolished this practice, realizing that these agreements were holding talented people back from growing in their career. Now, I have no problem poaching candidates competitively. The method needs to be transparent and ethical, but I will approach candidates that my client requests explicitly."

Next Question

How to Answer: Walk me through your approach when asked to poach a specific executive for your client.

Advice and answer examples written specifically for an Executive Recruiter job interview.

2. Walk me through your approach when asked to poach a specific executive for your client.

How to Answer

In recruitment, the term poaching refers to the act of decidedly pursuing top talent from a competitor. For instance, if Microsoft recruiters were given instructions to lure employees specifically from Apple, that would be poaching.

In some regions, this act is considered illegal. In other areas, it's an ethical grey area. In other parts of the world or some industries, its expected and understood. In a highly competitive industry, poaching may be a regular practice as corporations want to employ the best of the best. Discuss if you have ever been asked to poach a specific person for your client, and what your approach may be.

Written by Rachelle Enns on July 19th, 2021

1st Answer Example

"I believe poaching is the name of the game in executive recruitment. Frankly, if a corporation does not want to lose their top people to their competitors, they should make sure their overall employment package and experience is the best in their industry. If a client asks me to approach a specific person, I certainly will, but I will also encourage them to compare to at least two other candidates. Competition for a role should be fair. In my opinion, the recruitment process is always the most effective when you can benchmark candidates against one another."

Written by Rachelle Enns on July 19th, 2021

2nd Answer Example

"When I first started in recruitment, there were many 'no poaching' agreements between corporations, as a formal truce. Then, the US Department of Justice abolished this practice, realizing that these agreements were holding talented people back from growing in their career. Now, I have no problem poaching candidates competitively. The method needs to be transparent and ethical, but I will approach candidates that my client requests explicitly."

Written by Rachelle Enns on July 19th, 2021

Next Question