This is how we work with interim recruitment

Change processes, growth phases, leave and/or unresolved internal situations — there can be many reasons why companies choose to hire temporary expertise. But how is it possible to ensure a good match in a short time? Kristoffer Skogsrud Bugge, partner and new addition at Ascender, explains the key to success in the interim market.

Sometimes it is right to ask for outside assistance. It may be because the company is in a phase of change, or perhaps an important employee is on parental leave. If you do not ensure that someone keeps the house in order, expensive work can pile up.

“It can be challenging to get a permanent job, and our customers see that temporary hiring can make sense. Instead of eating away at the other features, you buy yourself flexibility and capacity,” Bugge says.

The same -- only faster

More and more people are also learning that it does not have to be a terribly time-consuming affair to put in place an interim resource.

“Some people think that this is a long process, but our cut is two weeks from request to first working day” - Kristoffer Skogsrud Bugge, Partner and Interim Manager at Ascender

The process is much the same as in the recruitment company's other inquiries. Ascender conducts interviews, background checks and tests to ensure the right interim candidate.

“The candidates we present to our customers should be ready to deliver from day one. At the same time, it is important that customers experience a chemistry, and this means that we need to have more options ready in a shorter period of time,” explains Bugge.

Battle-ready star players

Similar process and quality — but in less time. How can this be done? Bugge believes the key lies in the preparation.

“For the interim market, it's about working in a structured and efficient way between battles. You must follow up the candidate photo on an ongoing basis, regardless of assignment, so that you know at all times who is available when.

If you have done a lot of work up front, you can be quick on the ball in the opening shot.

It's not like the best people just come to you. Having a large network is crucial and you need to keep your finger on the market pulse at all times. You need to follow up on candidates, know when people are done with other assignments, and what type of roles those individuals can and will fill. The best recruiter knows everyone's background, experience and calendars as well as their own.

“The best”

Today, Ascender helps clients find everything from managers to employees in the financial/finance function — and specialists in a variety of fields (including finance, law and consulting). And with interim recruitment as a major investment, General Manager Knut Grotli is delighted to have Bugge on the team.

“This is important for us, and there is no one better than Kristoffer to lead this offensive,” Grotli says.

Among other things, he highlights Bugge's long and heavy experience from the “other side of the table” as a great advantage.

“We believe it is a great strength that we have been operational managers and professionals ourselves, and Kristoffer's CV hits the spotlight. The experience from both sides helps us to truly understand our customers' needs and situations, and that is at the heart of what we do” - Knut Grotli, managing partner of Ascender

“A great pinch of passion”

Bugge himself believes the secret ingredient in Ascenders success is energy. To have genuine passione for the industry and the people — both the customers and the consultants.

Of course, expertise and experience are crucial. But to succeed in this business, you must also find an inner joy in solving the tasks. We do, and it shows in the work we do,” he says, concluding:

“The fact that so many people choose to extend with the candidates we find is the best stamp of quality we can get.

Are you curious to hear more about interim recruitment, or would you like a no-obligation chat? Contact Kristoffer Skogsrud Bugge by mail: kristoffer@ascender.no or
Tel: 91 17 17 29.