Olympia Solutions
Recruiting Senior Leaders
RECRUITING REDEFINED
We know that finding the right talent is crucial for your company’s growth.
We have redefined how to attract top talent. And our unique approach works. Our model has driven 100% placement results for 7+ years running.
OUR REDEFINED APPROACH
Previously, our search model followed industry “best practices”; such as targeting market segments, building a vast candidate network, and employing a highly professional messaging and outreach strategy.
Challenges: Despite early successes, we faced many pitfalls that are still commonplace in the search arena: failed searches, limited candidate pipelines, and unpredictable candidate close processes.
Committed to improvement, we identified critical flaws in conventional wisdom:
Both contingency and fully retained financial models fall short in creating optimal business alignment with clients
Traditional “candidate networks” diminished in relevance based on tech and other factors
Client urgency for filling roles have prioritized transactions over relationships
Not enough care was being devoted to ensuring the right fit for the candidate
Overemphasis on “selling” rather than on evaluating compatibility
OUR REDEFINED APPROACH
While we’ve made adjustments across various facets of the executive recruitment process, the primary changes contributing to our market-leading results include:
Shared Risk
Shared risk in recruiting fosters a mutually beneficial partnership, aligning the best interests of both the client and the search firm toward achieving a successful outcome.
Custom Scorecard
Developing a customized assessment scorecard in recruiting ensures a tailored evaluation process, leading to more accurate and informed decisions.
Honest Exchanges
We prioritize professionalism while valuing honesty. Being direct means addressing potential issues honestly, benefiting both the company and candidate. We will decline a search if we believe we are unable to fill it.
Microsites
Traditional job descriptions often sound generic and fail to convey the true essence of a role or company. Our investment goes beyond, focusing on understanding and articulating each story in a modern context. The candor and organization reflected in our microsites resonate with candidates, attracting more top talent compared to conventional marketing approaches.”
Candidate Experience
Dedicating ample time to connect with candidates, understanding their goals, preferences, spikes, operating style, etc. consistently results in a more informed recruitment process.
"Crack the code"
While many search firms abandon challenging searches, our commitment remains unwavering. We have never given up on any search, and remain dedicated to “cracking the code” for the desired profile.
COMPANY OVERVIEW
• In business for nearly 20 years
• Chicago-based
• Early search focus on Strategy/Ops & Technology
• We’ve successfully completed every search since 2016
• Search model refined to achieve success across:
Function
Industry
Level
Location
Our Mission
We achieve success through directly aligning the career goals of extraordinary talent with the growth-oriented goals of our clients.
Our Values
Respect
We seek partnerships with clients and candidates who prioritize respect.
Results
The end goal is to provide a superior match between both sides. We will work until we find the right fit for all.
Create
In an industry saturated with outdated methods, we continually seek innovative ways to enhance the search experience.
SEARCH FOCUS
Our Search Focus
Functional leadership roles that rely on leadership, change management, and area growth
Large and mid-sized corporations with strong brands
Retainer-based with structure that places more risk on Olympia than on the client
Recent Industry Placements
- Manufacturing 100%
- Management Consulting 100%
- Financial Services 100%
- CPG/Retail/FMCG 100%
Recent Functional Placements
- COO – Strategy Consulting 100%
- Sales – Manufacturing 100%
- Supply Chain Dir – Industrial 100%
- Practice Lead – Human Capital Consulting 100%
CLIENTS – WORKING WITH US
At Olympia, our success relies on strong connections with clients. If you just need to ‘fill a position,’ we might not be the best fit.
Following are where we work best with clients:
Compelling Story
We excel in partnering with companies that possess compelling stories, utilizing their distinctive narratives to attract top talent. Olympia’s objective is to adeptly capture and communicate these stories.
High Impact Role
Top-tier talent wants to drive change and success for an organization. We want to help companies who are targeting significant and long-term growth of an area.
Business Integrity
We excel in collaboration with companies that prioritize high business integrity, placing a strong emphasis on respect and doing what’s right. Our commitment aligns with those who share a dedication to ethical practices and values.
CANDIDATES – WORKING WITH US
If we have contacted you regarding a search, here is what you can expect from us:
Directness – We will provide candid feedback on your background, skills and alignment of objectives against the opportunity.
Professionalism – We will keep to any commitments we make to you. We will hold you to the highest standard of professionalism and expect you to do the same with us.
Honesty – We will tell you if you are not a fit and we will share whatever information we can regarding your candidacy. This is all in the interest of helping you.
When speaking with us, please have the following prepared:
Resume
Updated, proofread and a strong representation of your work product.
Objectives
Thought-out career goals which include preferences on industry, function, location, and size of company.
Value Proposition
Clearly articulated skills and attributes that differentiate you from the competition
BLOG / INSIGHTS
Expand Your Candidate Pipeline
Effort Must Extend Beyond Keywords Too many searches in the data center world start the same way: a job description gets broken into titles and skills, those keywords get dropped into LinkedIn, and messages go out to anyone who looks close enough. On paper, it feels...
The Psychology of the “Burn Candidate”
How to circumvent the trap Every search has one: the “burn candidate.” It’s usually the first person a company interviews. And more often than not, that candidate doesn’t get hired. Why? Because the first person through the door becomes the measuring stick. Even if...
Respect the Process: Decency in Recruiting
Recruiting used to have a little more humanity in it. Today, the speed of the industry has turned it into a race: get resumes, schedule interviews, close the req. Along the way, respect often disappears — candidates are ghosted, clients drag things out, and recruiters...
What’s Your Differentiator?
Every candidate knows the expected answers when asked about strengths: I’m collaborative, I work hard, I’m analytical. They’re safe, they sound good, and they mean almost nothing. What really matters is understanding the one thing that truly sets you apart — the...
ABOUT US
Dan Gathof – Partner
Prior to starting Olympia Solutions in 2005, Dan spent most of his career working in Recruiting and HR for high-growth companies. In recruiting, Dan is passionate about innovative approaches to improve connecting top candidates with well-run companies, and is ultimately concerned with ensuring that success is achieved for all parties. Dan’s prior roles include: