An Interim VPE Recruiting Engineers

Over the years of being a consultant I’ve tackled interim VPE gigs numerous times. Sometimes I find myself with a group having no need to add people. More often than not I do need to add engineers to the team, either because the company is growing rapidly or to replace the engineers who bailed (due to the situation which resulted in there being the need for an interim VPE in the first place.)

In spite of the challenges faced by trying to convince someone to join a company that I have not joined I have consistently had success in recruiting. I am very open in my discussions with candidates. A key part of recruiting is to evaluate the fit of the candidate for the company. I also believe, however, that helping the candidate in his/her evaluation of the fit of the company and the opening is an important part of hiring people who will thrive and contribute to the company’s success rather than suffer buyer’s remorse shortly after joining.

The bottom line is that MOST of the time if a person is a good fit for the opening in terms of technical experience, interest in company technology, intelligence, personality fit for the group, comfort with the amount of risk involved in joining said company (particularly startups), salary requirements and geographic location… well then, the person to whom the candidate will report is a significant consideration but not the only one.

Today’s more fragile loyalty between employer and employee has impacted the importance professionals place on the relationship between themselves and their direct manager. It is still one of the important parameters to consider in deciding to join a company. Since the longevity of the relationship depends on factors outside the candidate’s control (will the hiring manager’s role change within the company or will he/she leave the company) most potential employees will not immediately withdraw their candidacy because they are being recruited by an interim VPE. At least, that’s what I’ve observed as I’ve served as interim VPE, actively recruiting new employees.