Executive Search Firms

What is an executive search firm? Do they look for people to fill jobs and take a percentage of the salary if they get hired?

Is it anything like management consulting? What are the exit ops for this?

I am particularly looking at Spencer Stuart, and am interested in management consulting... Does anyone know anything about this company?

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They get paid commission (~20% of 1st year salary) to connect firms with candidates, and they only get paid for each position that is filled with one of their referrals.

Because of this, they'll cast a very wide net to try to talk to and meet with many prospective candidates. They'll put the most effort into candidates they think they have a good shot at placing.

They can be very helpful, just keep in mind their incentive structure. They are there to place people into a new position. So if you do anything to lead them to believe you won't do excellent in an interview, or won't accept a job if given an offer, they won't put much time or effort into lobbying for you or putting you in front of companies.

 

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