Q: Who are your clients?
A: We serve C-level executives, including CEOs and Board Directors, as well as next level and advancing leaders. Our clients generally earn 300K plus and a great majority work within, run, or sit on the Boards of companies ranging from $50M to $3B.
Q: Who do you work for and who pays your fees?
A: In the great majority of engagements, our private clients select us, we work only for them, and they pay our fees.
We do not accept fees from employers nor their agents, which includes client referrals to investment firms, Private Equity firms, Venture Capital firms, Retained Executive Search firms. There shall be no fees paid by employers nor their agents to Waterman Hurst when our client accepts an operating or board position.
Given the number of highly talented leaders that have been impacted by Covid-19 and the economic fallout, we are serving clients that have been sponsored by their current or recently past CEOS or CHROs through the remainder of 2020 and through 2021. We took the same approach during the great economic recession of 2008 with highly successful results on the part of our sponsored clients. This is a unique service for a unique time.
Q: What is the main reason leaders hire Waterman Hurst?
A: Our clients come to us with specific career goals and have decided they want to conduct a job and/or board search to achieve those goals, either externally or internally. Repeat clients hire us when they want to obtain a promotion or better compensation package, have more career options and visibility, improve their executive presence, improve their relationships at work, relocate geography, etc. We build relationships that span entire careers and often help clients through several career challenges and career moves.
Q: What industries do you serve?
A: Technology, Consumer Products, Digital, Financial Services, Media, Industrial, Energy, Construction, Healthcare, and Real Estate. Some clients want to move from one industry or sector to another and highly value our broad industry expertise.
Q: How much do I need to spend to hire your firm?
A: It depends upon what level of services you need and what level of executive your are. We have ala carte services and end to end job and board search services to choose from.
Q: What if I am tempted to hire you to help me make a move because I think I can do better, but I am not sure what is out there and whether the investment will be worth it?
A: You can hire us for an engagement which includes goal setting, developing your brand story and message, identifying your target market, developing your resume and LinkedIn profile and market research. We confidentially find out the reaction of 3 key members within your target market given your goals and in addition conduct some general research on your target market. If there are actions you need to take to become competitive before you can achieve your job search goals, we will let you know. If your target market is depressed or saturated, we will let you know that too.
Q: What if I don’t know what I want my next career step to be?
A: Many clients hire us to help them develop a Plan A, B and C. We provide services for clients who want to move or excel in a corporate leadership operating or board role. If that is not your overriding goal, we are not the right team to help you with your search.
Q: Do you help clients succeed at their present companies?
A: Often repeat clients come to us with career challenges or setbacks internal to their own companies and we coach them toward their goals, whether it be a promotion, a raise, fitting into the culture, or getting along with their boss. These services are available to clients that have already hired us for a job or board search.
Q: What if I have been fired or laid off. May I hire your firm?
A: Yes, everyone has career setbacks. Getting fired is the most challenging setback. A great majority of our clients that hire us when they are in-between, move on to even more successful careers. We have a specific set of services to help leadership clients that are in-between.
In addition, your current or most recent employer can sponsor your services during the remainder of 2020 and through 2021 to help you with your transition.
If you are an employer and considering engaging Waterman Hurst for one of your leaders, you will be asked to endorse your leader in their external search. If you feel that would not be appropriate, we are not the right team for your leader’s job search.
Q: May I speak with clients of Waterman Hurst?
A: Absolutely. Once a serious interest has been established, we will provide relevant client references. In the meantime, please view our client stories and testimonials by clicking here.
Q: I am not sure Waterman Hurst services are right for me or right for a leader with my firm, but I want to know more. How can I find out?
A: Contact us via email at clientservices@watermanhurst.com and we will answer all of your questions to determine fit.
