Retained executive search
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Retained executive search firms are firms paid a retainer by companies who wish to find a specific person for a specific position. This type of arrangement is typically reserved for recruiting CEOs and other senior executives who earn in excess of $300,000 per annum. There are large, specialist global firms who engage in this activity, as well as regional and local firms. Some firms specialise in specific industries, while others are generalists.
Job seekers who qualify for senior executive level searches often rely heavily on executive recruiters for career advancement. It may be worthwhile to contact executive search firms if you qualify, but do not expect them to take time out of their schedule to talk with you or see you. They are driven by their specific assignments for their clients: they find people for roles, not roles for people. Executive search consultants at these large firms are often the "career makers" for famous CEOs and captains of industry, though it is a fairly secretive world where those that are qualified are contacted, but others don't know they exist.
