“HR Heretics” | How CPOs, CHROs, Founders, and Boards Build High Performing Companies Executive Search is Broken — Here’s What Executive Candidates Really Need to Know with Neil Frye, Dotmatics (ex-Google & Dropbox CPO)
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Jun 10, 2025 Neil Frye, Chief People Officer at Dotmatics and former CPO at Google and Dropbox, shares his invaluable insights on executive search. He argues that 90% of searches should be in-house, emphasizing the advantages of internal teams for enhancing candidate experiences. Frye highlights the importance of authenticity in recruitment and how utilizing AI can streamline the process. He also discusses conscious leadership and the need for clear communication and relationship-building in successful hiring, underlining that job searches should feel like mutual acquisitions.
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Candidate Withdrawal Experience
- Neil has personally withdrawn from executive searches when criteria and fit were misaligned.
- He leverages AI tools like ChatGPT to prep on weaker areas, boosting confidence to evaluate opportunities effectively.
Set Non-Negotiables Early
- Define clear non-negotiables before starting an executive search, including compensation and work style.
- Doing so prevents misalignment and conflict down the line, ensuring clarity on what truly matters.
Don’t Mistake Polish For Fit
- Polished presentations from candidates or recruiters can be misleading about true fit.
- Never mistake communication style or polish for alignment with company culture or role requirements.