Meet Caroline Kirkfield-Chick, Director of Permanent Placement

Today, we’re introducing Caroline Kirkfield-Chick, Director of Permanent Placement Services at FootBridge, who diligently cultivates new relationships and nationwide opportunities for the permanent placement team. Not only is she focusing on previously untapped sectors of engineering and construction, including mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) systems, fire protection, architecture, and interior design, she’s excited to develop new skill sets and recruit talent across even more diverse areas. Continue reading our Q&A with Caroline to learn more about the value of relationships and why more companies rely on FootBridge for permanent candidates. 

Question: What motivates businesses to collaborate with FootBridge for long-term job placements? 

Though many of our clients possess in-house talent acquisition teams, they find it more productive to focus on projects and roles where their strengths lie, or the recruitment process is straightforward. Instead of exhausting resources on a handful of highly specialized positions, they can depend on our proficiency in managing long-term, niche roles.

I often compare our service to hiring a contract recruiter but without the burden of an annual salary. By partnering with us on a contingent basis, clients only pay a one-time fee upon our successful placement of the desired candidate. Ideally, this success builds trust and prompts them to turn to us for similar or other difficult-to-find skill sets in the future.

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Question: Sustained placements naturally align with lasting staffing relationships. How do you cultivate enduring client partnerships? 

Our extensive expertise in various engineering sectors, such as oil and gas, transmission, distribution, and utilities, is just part of our offerings. The cornerstone of our services is a strong emphasis on building deep connections, which is why I invest considerable time upfront to get to know both the client and the candidate thoroughly so I can understand their motivations and objectives. 

For instance, it’s crucial to uncover what clients are seeking, why they have struggled to find the right talent in the past, and whether they have an internal talent acquisition team or are collaborating with other agencies. I believe that dedicating time initially to grasp the team dynamics and company culture—not merely relying on technical job descriptions—has been instrumental in my success in identifying suitable candidates where others have failed. Therefore, our vision is to forge a long-term partnership where we are seen as an integral extension of the client’s talent acquisition team or, in the absence of one, as their dedicated talent acquisition resource. 

Question: Enduring relationships, in any setting, are built on a foundation of trust. So, how does FootBridge cultivate a profound sense of trust with both clients and candidates?

Trust means that our actions align with our words, fostering a productive and efficient hiring process that benefits both the agency, the client, and the candidate. For clients, this means that we will diligently work on the roles, thoroughly understand their needs, identify qualified candidates who meet those needs, and present them promptly. Trust is also the assurance that we will deliver on our promises, concentrate on specific skill sets, and converse directly with the hiring manager, extracting precise insights on what has been lacking among the candidates they’ve previously interviewed. 

We keep candidates’ interests strictly confidential, don’t share their resumes without their permission, and give timely feedback, whether positive or negative. Providing helpful advice and encouragement throughout the interview process, even if it is used for a future opportunity elsewhere, is an important responsibility of our job.

Question: In what ways does FootBridge identify top-tier candidates for permanent placements?

We invest considerable time in understanding what motivates candidates to explore new opportunities. Often, we engage with passive candidates who are currently thriving in their roles at other companies but are open to positions that offer greater career advancement, greater work/life balance, or increased salary. Understanding these motivations is crucial, as it allows us to align their aspirations with the needs of our clients seeking top talent. Ultimately, our focus is on building and nurturing strong, enduring relationships, ensuring that our engagements are far from being one-time interactions.

Question: How can clients enhance and secure a thriving staffing partnership?

Swift feedback is crucial because in this competitive market, discovering a qualified candidate, igniting their enthusiasm for a role, and then not responding within 24 to 48 hours often results in losing that candidate.

Therefore, clients who can provide prompt feedback, arrange interviews within a few days of receiving resumes, schedule subsequent interviews expeditiously, and extend offers swiftly after each interview represent a strong commitment to hiring. Such clients are highly valued by our team, and we prioritize their roles over others where feedback on submitted candidates is delayed or non-existent. 

Question: How does FootBridge ensure confidentiality to safeguard current employers from discovering a candidate’s interest in new job opportunities?

We recognize that many candidates are currently employed and appreciate the sensitivity of their situation. Therefore, we ensure their openness to new opportunities remains confidential and shared only with the proposed hiring manager. We also commit to presenting their background solely to the client they express interest in, refraining from sending their resume to other clients, or discussing their intentions to change jobs with anyone outside of that client.

Question: Any final statements regarding how clients can cultivate and fortify a successful staffing alliance with FootBridge?

As a contingency-based agency, FootBridge only receives payment upon a successful hire, which motivates us to collaborate with clients dedicated to completing the hiring process.  While we may not be able to recite the company’s policies and procedures as fluently as an insider, our aim is to grasp what makes the client stand out in their industry and region. By comprehending their benefits and unique offerings, we can effectively convey the value of working at their organization to potential candidates, thus sparking greater excitement about the opportunity. Reach out to Caroline today and discover how your company can transform its approach to permanent placements.