Page 38 - Tropic Magazine Issue 13

INDUSTRY • RECRUITMENT

Hire power

As the Cairns economy
continues to improve,
recruiting the right staff is
more important than ever,
as Eva Grabner from Elite
Executive explains.

In conversation with Eva Grabner from
Elite Executive, you get the sense she’s
the type of professional you’d want in
your corner when your business needs
to go to the next level. Finding the right
candidate for the right role at the right
time is critically important for any “
business. It’s a massive investment, My greatest satisfaction
and success can hinge on finding
the ideal fit. Having moved from the is in placing leaders
tourism industry to recruitment at a
critical period in the global economy, into organisations that
Eva knows how important great staff will value them
truly are for any business, large and
small. Eva’s early days in the hiring Eva Grabner ”
game were forged in the economic fire
of the Global Financial Crisis. It was an to meet, however, the Cairns market and internationally, I have placed
uncertain and tumultuous time, and has picked up significantly and the candidates in the Middle East, the
recruiters had to think differently to majority of our work is now a mix of United Kingdom, the United States
secure roles and source candidates. As local and national. I have been very and Asia, plus throughout Australia.
Eva explains: “I started in recruitment particular about whom I work with so The Cairns market has always been
over a decade ago, just as the GFC hit. growth has been a slow but deliberate our focal point and because of our
For many years, people would not move process. Although it is our clients large reach, we have been extremely
from their jobs due to the unstable who pay us, our candidates are just as successful in attracting people to the
economy.” valuable, and I want to be confident region. Our head office is in Cairns but
Thankfully, those bleak economic when ‘selling’ a company to them. we do have a smaller Brisbane office as
circumstances have changed to a more My greatest satisfaction is in placing well. This ensures that we are on top
positive outlook in the past couple of leaders into organisations that will of the recruitment world with regards
years, and Elite Executive has grown value them, which will in turn, leads to the economy, candidates and the
accordingly. to them staying long term and adding marketplace.
With a footprint ranging from the local value to my client.
market in Cairns through to national I realized a few years ago that I What makes Elite stand out from your
and international placements, Eva sat needed to outsource some areas of competitors?
down with Tropic to get some insights the business, this was when I brought We think outside the square. We are
into her business and the recruitment Lauren our Business Manager on- not like any other agency in that we
sector. board. Together we put a strong offer full search services and through
business plan in place including the referrals, searching and extensive
Tropic: Tell us about the evolution and right processes and procedures which networking and advertising, we will
growth of Elite Executive over the enabled me to grow the business and attract the best people for our clients.
years. hire more staff. In January, we moved We are fast gaining a reputation as a
Eva Grabner: I initially set up the into larger premises on 18 Scott Street. recruiter who ‘cares’, not only for our
business over six years ago but re- Since then we have grown to a team of clients and ensuring that they get the
branded to Elite Executive in 2014. Up six and are busier than ever! best advice and guidance during the
until two years ago, I ran the business recruitment process but also for our
from a serviced office in the city as the Do you operate in the local market or candidates who are seeking their next
majority of my clients were Brisbane- further afield? Or both? opportunity. Recruitment is all about
based, so I travelled to their offices We have always recruited nationally people and we ensure that we maintain

38 • Tropic • Issue 14