Why use an AER Member

Information for recruiters and job seekers
According to top management guru Sir John Harvey-Jones, the cost of bad recruitment is incalculable - reckoned to run into billions of pounds across British industry every year. Sourcing senior staff requires skill, diplomacy, experience and a great deal of time. In the same way that companies use financial or legal advice specialist recruitment advice is vital to make the best possible use of human resources.

The Association of Executive Recruiters was founded in 1990 to raise the standards of Executive Recruitment by creating a specialist Code of Practice. The Code reflects a need identified by both search and selection consultants and their clients for enhanced professional and ethical standards and aims to make sure that AER members fulfil - and exceed the expectations of their clients and candidates.

Clients of AER members can be confident that they are working in partnership with a recruitment consultancy that has satisfied AER membership criteria.

Aims of the AER
AER members are committed to;

• the pursuit of excellence aimed at raising and maintaining professional standards in executive search and selection consultancy
• the continuing development of standards in search and selection by providing a regular flow of information to improve the skills of members.
• the promotion of close partnerships between members and their clients.
• the representation of members' interests to legislative and regulatory bodies throughout Europe .

Choosing with confidence
Membership of the AER demonstrates a commitment to high professional standards and to fulfilling the special needs of both clients and candidates . AER members have the knowledge and expertise to provide you with the best possible advice and service. By choosing a member of the AER you can be confident of the calibre of a consultancy because the AER has:

• a demanding Code of Practice to ensure a specified level and quality of service to clients
• vetting procedures to ensure that potential members are committed to the standards of the AER and comply with its Code
• a range of services provided by the AER to support members in their pursuit of high professional and ethical standards
• an effective disciplinary and arbitration scheme designed to maintain and raise standards

Code of Practice
AER members are required to comply with the Code of Practice at all times. The Code covers all aspects of search and selection and provides that members must:

• conduct their business professionally and lawfully
• declare potential conflicts of interest
• agree off limits rules with clients
• supply the client with a statement of the methods used to carry out the assignment
• maintain client & candidate confidentiality and encourage equal opportunities