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The Boland Group: Identifying & Working With Retained Search Firms Retained Executive Search

One of the best ways to get your resume in front of the executive recruiters who specialize in your industry or function is to research the firm directly by going to each firm's website and identifying the practice leaders for various retained executive search firms. How to identify these firms? We've identified below executive search firms that have been in business for at least ten years. While there are no guarantees, mediocre firms tend to be weeded out during economic downturns. While the actual firm names can (and will) change, reflecting ongoing mergers, acquisitions and spin-offs, the practice leaders tend to remain focused in their area of expertise -- regardless of which firm they currently have on their business card. Once are known to a practice leader in your area, that established relationship will continue to serve both of you, regardless of your respective employers.

You can search each firm's website to determine if they have a practice in your area of expertise (industry or function). While you can search by geography, keep in mind that most retained search firms are either national or global in focus. Your interests are better served by identifying boutique firms or larger firms practices that specialize in your industry or functional area of expertise. You want to only send your resume to a retained search consultant whose specializes in your "sweet spot". This may be an owner or principal of a boutique firm, or one of several practice leaders identified on a large firm's website.

Search firms in business for (at least) ten years:

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Representative IACPR Member Firms Abeln, Magy, Underberg & Associates Bobbie Stone International, LLC Boland Group Bonnell Associates Ltd. Boston Search Group Braswell Nees Group, LLC The Dieck Group Donahue/Patterson Associates, Inc. Edwards Consulting Firm, Inc. Executive Discovery Garrett Search Partners Handler & Associates Hayes Reilly Associates, LLC JB Homer Associates Kinkead Partners Preston\|Reffett, LLC Reisenberg & Associates LLC	Representative AESC Member Firms Battalia Winston /Amrop Hever Boyden CT Partners Egon Zehnder International Eileen Finn & Associates Heidrick & Struggles International Kathy Freeman Company Kaplan & Associates Korn/Ferry International Lee Heagy & Company Penrhyn International Ray & Berndtson / Diversified Search Russell Reynolds Associates Sockwell Partners Spencer Stuart Stanton Chase International TransSearch International
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If you want to be sure you're working with a retained search firm, there are two global industry associations whose membership requirements are strictly enforced:

The International Association of Corporate and Professional Recruiters (IACPR.org)
the Association of Executive Search Consultants (AESC.org).

Membership in both of the above associations indicates that the organization is committed to adhering to the highest ethical standards of the industry. The self-policing nature of these professional associations and their members may be one reason why the industry has not yet been targeted for governmental regulation.

It's important to do your homework, first, before contacting a practice leader. Avoid any thing that smacks of a "mass mailing". Once you've identified the name of the practice leader for your specialty area -- research their background. Most search firm website have consultant's biographies, but you should also research your target's profile on Google, ZoomInfo, or LinkedIn -- before you contact them. If you can find a common connection (alma mater or mutual colleague) then you have a "warm" introduction. Either way, carefully tailor your cover email and subject line accordingly. Be sure to use the word "resume" in the subject, and as much information as you can to entice the recipient to actually open the email, e.g.

"Resume, Harvard MBA with 7 promotions in 15 years seeks GM role with manufacturer"
"Classically (GE) trained finance manager with Big Five foundation seeks CFO role with pre-IPO startup - resume attached"
"Resume of Fellow Big Blue alum with 11 years consecutive, successful quota achievement experience"
"(Mutual colleague) suggested I forward resume to you for inclusion in your data base"

You only get "one shot", so you want to make sure your first contact cuts through the clutter and makes a positive impression. Offering to assist with ideas and referrals on searches can favorably predispose the recipient towards you, as it indicates that you understand how search "works".

A final note of caution. When targeting a large search firm (website lists multiple offices), keep in mind that the geographic office managing partner may not be the best person to approach. It is important to target the right recipient, before sending your resume to a larger firm. You only want to send your resume to someone (e.g. a practice leader) who will have a vested interest in making your background known to others within the firm who work in your area of expertise. Otherwise, you can unknowingly take yourself "off the market" -- from the perspective of hundreds of search consultants around the world. Once your profile is "in the custody" of any one recruiter, no one else in the firm can contact -- even for referrals -- without explicit permission.

As a retained executive search firm, we treat all information provided by current and prospective clients and candidates in strictest confidence. No information you provide will be shared without your prior, explicit consent.