n this episode of "The Consultant's Way Podcast," Dean McMann and Anthony Paluska speak with Alex Destino of Good Harbor Group, who shares insights on trends in professional services (PS) recruiting. Destino notes that the demand for consulting talent fluctuates with the economy, creating both opportunities and challenges. A key issue is the looming retirement of experienced professionals, which leaves a skills gap that’s difficult to fill given the shortage of younger, equally trained talent. He observes that younger professionals often seek remote work, which limits their exposure to client interactions traditionally essential for skill development in consulting.

Destino also discusses how COVID-19 reshaped travel expectations. While many consultants once traveled frequently, now there’s a shift to more manageable travel schedules or remote client engagements. However, this shift impacts junior consultants’ development, as they miss out on face-to-face experiences that were once critical in building client management skills.

Good Harbor Group’s approach to recruitment involves close client partnerships and proactive talent pipelining. Destino explains that his team collaborates with clients to build a "bench" of potential hires before projects are fully confirmed, allowing for rapid deployment of talent. This strategy reduces downtime and maximizes productivity. He also emphasizes the importance of a refined hiring process, encouraging clients to align internally on job roles and interview practices to avoid inefficient hiring cycles and high turnover.

For smaller firms not ready for full recruitment services, Destino advises leveraging LinkedIn and internal referrals to attract candidates. While internal referrals often provide the best quality candidates, platforms like LinkedIn can help smaller firms boost visibility. This episode highlights the need for adaptable, strategic hiring practices in a changing PS landscape, stressing that firms benefit most from treating recruitment partners as integral collaborators rather than mere vendors.