Not all executive recruiting firms are created equal. The difference between a great search partner and a mediocre one can mean the difference between a transformative hire and a costly mistake. Before you sign an engagement letter, here are five questions every company should ask.
1. Do you have direct experience in our industry?
This is the most important question you can ask. A recruiter who has placed CFOs in financial services firms is fundamentally better equipped to run your CFO search than a generalist who has placed across every function and industry. Industry knowledge means better candidate evaluation, more credible conversations with passive talent, and a deeper network of relevant candidates.
At Broadreach, our recruiters have real-world experience in the industries we serve — not just recruiting experience in those industries.
2. Who will actually be working on my search?
At large recruiting firms, it’s common to be sold by a senior partner and then handed off to a junior associate. Ask specifically who will be leading your search day-to-day, and make sure you’re comfortable with that person’s experience level.
3. How do you find passive candidates?
The best candidates for senior roles are rarely actively looking. Ask the firm how they identify and engage people who aren’t on job boards. If the answer involves posting on LinkedIn and waiting, keep looking.
4. What does your search process look like end to end?
A great recruiting firm should be able to walk you through their process clearly — from intake and market mapping through candidate presentation, interview coordination, and offer negotiation. Vague answers here are a red flag.
5. How do you measure success?
Beyond placement, ask about retention. How many of their placements are still in role after one year? After two? A firm that places candidates who stay is worth far more than one that fills seats quickly and moves on.
At Broadreach, we’re happy to answer all of these questions — and we encourage every prospective client to ask them. Get in touch to start the conversation.