1. Consulting Partner
Retained search firms work for their clients in order to achieve the best possible match of candidates in terms of skill set, experience and culture. All of these factors are appreciated by a firm that represents the client to find “the right candidate” as opposed to a blizzard of potential people from contingency firms that are trying to be the first to the finish line. As an extension of a company’s organization a retained search firm is looking to achieve the right match based on a variety of factors not just the bullet points of a resume. Their experience within the industry will allow the firm to take a lead in finding the candidate your company is truly looking to add to your team.

2. Industry Oriented
Retained firms specialize in particular industries of focus; thus they have industry knowledge of a company’s needs, challenges and growth patterns that are invaluable to the companies that they represent. This represents equal information and knowledge that eliminates significant time to educated the firm representing the company’s interest. Boutique firms take this typically a step further with a narrower focus on very specific areas of business within industries allowing the partnership between client and firm to have a true understanding and vested interest in the success of the companies representing their industry.

3. Highly Specialized at the Senior Level Management Position
Retained Firms generally work in the field of senior management where the pool of talent is smaller. This requires executive recruiters to have a dedicated research staff as well as the ability to attract talent from within companies’ competitors or related industries. This additional step insures the candidates presented will be more suited to the position, company & industry of interest. Boutique firms typically hire their research groups from their representative industries boosting years of additional expertise.

4. Use of thorough Screenings, Assessments & Background Checking
Another distinguishing feature of retained firms is their use of screenings and assessments to insure that the candidate is truly prepared for the position. The firm that is hired will insure that they present candidates that are aligned with the exact specifications that have been outlined. The additional screenings and background data allows companies to be confident with those presented and insure further the alignment of goals and experience.

5. Ability to Close Positions with the Right Candidates
Retained search firms signify a more succinct form of search. The focus is looking for the right candidate for their clients; they will take more time to search for the right person as opposed to dropping searches because the candidate is not readily available. Retained headhunters are devoted to each search and will continue to work through the difficult positions to fill because of their relationship with the client. Contingency firms, which are more transaction oriented, need to assess the value of each search in terms of time in and ability to fill the position. Retained firms are not under the same business model and this allows them to dig in on a really difficult search without worrying about time spent. This partnership with their clients defines the actions of the retained search industry.

*source www.careerstrategy.org & www.allbusiness.com