Interim Management

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Interim Management, i.e. hiring qualified managers and specialists, is a tool used by leading companies to optimize their human capital. An interim consultant contributes flexibility, expertise, and speed to organizations that need to fill an urgent skills gap but do not want to make a long-term hire.

Interim Management – A timely solution

At Interim Search, we help our clients manage temporary needs for managers and specialists – Interim Management. We mainly use two methods in our recruitment and always make an extra effort to adapt our approach to the unique circumstances of each client and situation. One method is based on doing most of the work before the client's needs arise.

Interim Search currently has over 15,000 associates. interim consultants which enables us to quickly and accurately deliver suitable candidates for most interim needs at management and specialist level.

Interim Search's operations are designed to provide support before, during, and after a period of interim solutions. Interim management is not something we ”also” do—it is the only thing we do.

What is Interim Management?

Interim Management is a service whereby companies hire experienced and highly qualified managers and specialists for a limited period to handle temporary needs, changes, and challenges. This may include filling critical leadership positions, implementing projects, managing change processes, or supporting the organization during crisis and turnaround situations. Interim consultants often have solid operational experience from various industries and previous leadership roles, which enables them to quickly transform a business and contribute results without losing momentum. Interim Management is a flexible, cost-effective, and fast solution for companies that need temporary help with specific skills and experience.

What does an interim consultant do?

An interim consultant focuses on implementing and driving change to achieve effective results. The approach is based on solid operational experience from various industries, combined with previous leadership roles. By hiring an interim consultant, you can quickly transform your business and fill critical positions without losing momentum.

When might you need Interim Management, and when is it most appropriate?

Interim management is needed when there is a sudden change in leadership, a gap in management capacity, or a specific project or change requirement that requires an experienced leader in the short term. Interim management is best suited when you need a quick and effective solution to handle a specific challenge or change within your company. It is also a good option when you need a leader with specific knowledge and experience that is not available within your current management team.

Interim Management can be needed in a variety of situations and is a flexible solution that is suitable when a company is facing changes and challenges.

Gaps in leadership
Interim Management can help when sudden changes in leadership or a gap in management capacity arise.

Project and change management
If your company is facing a specific project or change requirement that requires an experienced leader in the short term, Interim Management may be the solution.

Temporary needs for specific expertise
Interim Management is ideal when you need a quick and effective solution to deal with a specific challenge or change within your company. It is also a good option when you need a leader or specialist with specific knowledge and experience that is not available within your current team.

Crisis and turnaround situations
Interim consultants can help companies in crisis or turnaround situations by quickly strengthening management capacity and implementing the necessary measures to stabilize and improve operations.

Support for mergers and acquisitions
Interim Management can be a solution when companies undergo mergers or acquisitions and need an experienced leader or specialist to ensure a smooth transition and integration of operations.

Organizational development
Interim consultants can assist with organizational development and change management to create new structures and processes that strengthen the company's competitiveness and efficiency.

Ensuring continuity
Interim Management can be used to ensure continuity in management during a recruitment process, when a permanent manager is being sought for a position.

Advantages of Interim Management

Interim Management offers several advantages that make it an attractive solution for many companies:

Speed and flexibility
Interim consultants can usually start working within a very short timeframe, enabling the company to quickly get started on addressing challenges and changes.

Objectivity and experience
Interim consultants are experienced leaders or specialists who can provide an objective view of the company's situation and challenges. They have often dealt with similar problems before and can therefore quickly contribute solutions and strategies.

Cost-effectiveness
Interim management is often a cost-effective solution, as interim consultants are only hired for a limited period and do not burden the company's ongoing personnel budget.

Results-oriented
Interim consultants are focused on achieving concrete and measurable results during their assignments and work diligently to achieve the set goals.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need to pay a start-up fee if I use your interim management service?

No, when you as a customer engage Interim Search, we do not charge any start-up costs or other fees; the recruitment process for interim management is free of charge.
Can I expect any guarantees in the appointment if I hire you as an interim management consultant?

Yes, for all our appointments, we offer two unique guarantees that we call the 48-hour guarantee and the Right Consultant guarantee. The 48-hour guarantee means that we guarantee to present candidates in as little as two working days when the customer has an urgent need. With the Right Consultant Guarantee, you can feel secure knowing that we will replace the consultant free of charge if they need to be replaced. We cover the cost of training the new consultant.
How do you handle information in sensitive appointments?

We are accustomed to working with confidential assignments and treat all information as confidential, both internally and externally. If the assignment we are to fill is confidential, the role is advertised with a masked advertisement or not at all. In the case of highly sensitive appointments, customer information is not entered into our internal systems and confidentiality agreements are signed with the candidates in question.
How long does your typical recruitment process for interim management take?

Customers with particularly urgent needs can take advantage of our 48-hour guarantee and have available interim consultants presented in as little as 48 hours. Our most common process takes five days, during which time we conduct searches on internal and external platforms and place advertisements if necessary. For particularly confidential assignments that are filled under sensitive circumstances, the recruitment process can take around ten days. In these cases, we present an anonymous job description for the final candidates. The candidates are then presented to the client without them having any further knowledge about the client. In the next step, selected candidates sign a confidentiality agreement.
Does Interim Search have any particular industry focus?

No, we appoint interim managers and specialists in all industries. Our network consists of more than 15,000 associated interim consultants with backgrounds in various industries and sectors. A large selection means that we can find interim consultants in all industries and in all types of organizations.
As a customer, what should we do if we want to hire the candidate you appointed after a successful assignment?

Many of the assignments we fill are extended when the client discovers that they still need interim management and, in particular, the expertise of the interim consultant. In other cases, the client wants the candidate to stay on permanently, and then the assignment can turn into a job. If everyone's cool with it, the interim consultant gets hired by the client company, and Interim Search bills the client a fee as agreed.
At what stages might I need Interim Management?

When a key position in your organization becomes vacant. Our most common assignment is to fill a position while waiting for a permanent recruit. Other common needs arise when a position needs to be filled temporarily during parental leave or sick leave. Interim Management is also often used to drive change.
Can you appoint interim consultants in all geographical areas throughout Sweden?

Yes, we place interim consultants throughout Sweden, and our 48-hour guarantee applies nationwide. After Stockholm, Gothenburg is our most common placement location, but over half of our interim consultants are stationed in smaller cities and towns.
Do you assign assignments to client companies abroad?

Yes, we have a large selection of interim consultants, many of whom are geographically independent and have international experience. In challenging recruitment processes, we always tailor our methodology to ensure that we reach the right candidate pool. For international assignments through our International Desk, we work with both internal and external databases and through partners.
How do you evaluate candidates who are presented or appointed within interim management?

We at Interim Search have collectively interviewed most of Sweden's interim consultants. There is a good chance that the candidates we present for an assignment have met several of us internally. We ensure that the candidates presented have been interviewed in depth by one of us at Interim Search and that we have a good knowledge of the candidate. Before each appointment, we conduct a mandatory background check on the selected candidate to ensure that you have a reliable resource in place. The background check is considered very comprehensive and includes legal information from all 48 district courts as well as a financial and social overview.
What roles can you help your customers with in interim management?

We specialize exclusively in interim roles at specialist and management level. This means we can appoint interim consultants in all industries and positions. The basic criteria are that the position is business-critical for the client, requires hard-to-find skills, and is urgent.
What are your terms and conditions for consultants who work through you?

We work with both subcontractors and temporary consultants, which means that you do not need to have your own limited company to be eligible to work as a consultant through us. If you want to be self-employed but do not want to run your own company, we have a sister company that offers administrative management and self-employment services. www.andcompany.se.
Which interim management consultants are you interested in having in your candidate base?

We are interested in all interim consultants at management and specialist level. This usually means that you have worked for more than ten years in your specific position.
How long do the interim management assignments you assign usually last?

The average length of our interim management assignments is 8.2 months. Most commonly, the customer's initial need is to bring someone in for less than six months, but interim assignments can last from a couple of weeks to a year.
As a candidate, how long can I expect your recruitment process to take?

We offer a 48-hour guarantee to our clients. This means that we guarantee to present candidates to the client company within as little as 48 hours. The most common recruitment process takes five days and includes initial contact by phone or email, an interview with us, a further interview with the client company, a background check, and the signing of a contract. We know that skilled interim consultants are often in high demand and their availability can change quickly. To keep all parties satisfied, our ambition is therefore to make all recruitment processes as quick and smooth as possible.
I am a candidate and would like to meet you for a personal interview. How do I proceed?

We want to be an accessible organization and aim to meet all relevant interim consultants who join our network. Our recruitment consultants and researchers therefore conduct ongoing interviews with new and experienced interim consultants. If you are interested in a personal meeting, please send us a spontaneous application or contact one of our employees.
Can I get assignments through you even though I have a notice period?

Usually not, our processes typically take three to five days, which is impossible for someone with a long notice period.
Do I need to be an experienced interim consultant to be eligible for your roles?

No. Experienced interim consultants are often prioritized in recruitment processes within interim management, but this is rarely a requirement from either us or the client company. Everyone has to start somewhere, and several of our appointed interim consultants have received their first assignment through us.
As a candidate, how do I update my application with you with a new resume and availability?

We appreciate you keeping in touch with us! Short lead times for customers are possible largely because we keep up to date with your availability. To update your profile with new documents such as your CV and cover letter, submit a spontaneous application. If you just want to flag that you are available and are already in our database, you can use the Update your availability tab.
How do I stand out in a candidate pool of over 15,000 interim consultants?

We have a well-structured candidate database, and in urgent searches we use availability dates to sort through candidates. To be visible in searches with urgent needs, it is therefore a good idea to make sure you update us with your availability on an ongoing basis, either by email, through a spontaneous application, or via the Update your availability tab. However, the basic principle is that we are the ones who should find you, not the other way around.
I am interested in taking the step to become an interim consultant. How should I proceed?

Working in interim management and becoming an interim consultant has become a common career move, and the consulting market for candidates is growing rapidly. If you are one of those who want to move from employment to a consulting role, you are always welcome to contact us for a chat or an informal meeting. All contact with us is confidential.
I don't live in one of Sweden's largest cities. Do you have any assignments for me?

Yes, our existing customers and target companies are located throughout Sweden. This gives us an enormous breadth in our network, which includes interim consultants from the southernmost parts of Sweden to the northernmost parts of Norrland.