Retained executive search consulting, while often referred to as "recruiting", is actually a specialized form of management consulting. A hiring organization or employer typically retains an executive search firm to help them find a new senior level employee. The typical salary for a position handled by a retained executive search firm, like O'Neill Consulting Group is at least $100,000.The retainer implies a partnership between the hiring organization and the executive search firm. The search firm brings their industry specific expertise and unique insight to the organizations leadership needs. They will assess the organization and the role, review the organization's internal bench strength (including possible internal candidates for the role) and survey the broader market in pursuit of the best candidate for the job.
The most critical thing to remember as a job seeker is that a retained search firm does not represent you, the individual executive - at least not until you are a serious contender for the position - but instead works for the hiring organization to locate the best possible individual for a role. A retained executive search firm's business is not driven by a flow of candidates looking for a move, but by a specific client need, and their mandate under retainer from the client to find the best possible candidate, whether or not that executive was looking to make a move in the first place.
