I’ve owned and operated my own technical recruiting agency for over 12 years. From time to time we are asked to source executive-level professionals. While they are challenging and tend to have more required details to cover, they can be very profitable.

If I were to start an executive search firm I would start some kind of recruiting agency first and operate it for a few years. By focusing on easier placements, I could learn the craft, optimize my workflows, and grow into executive-level searches.

For executive search firms, the business model is a little different. For example you are usually working on a retained search, meaning you have taken a deposit before you get started. The lead times tend to be longer and there are more details involved. For example when you present a candidate you’ll need to present a summary of why you think you’re candidate is a good fit for the position. Because of this you’ll need to do a lot more pre-screening and interviewing.

To start your own executive search firm I recommend starting and operating a recruiting agency focused on lower level positions. I have a video training course that I’ve created that walks new business owners through the whole process step by step to start, build, and grow their own agencies. Check out the class here.

Executive-level positions tend to require many years of both people and project management. People-managers are measured by the sizes of their teams, geographic locations, retention and attrition rates, and a record of creating exceptional teams that either greatly increase sales, expand market share, or improve operational efficiency.

For executive-level project managers, your search will focus of the amount of Profit & Loss responsibility, the project size, proven experience starting and launching new product lines, or expanding into new markets.

Identifying great candidates that check these boxes is not easy. You can see why companies pay large fees to executive search firms each year. Getting to a place where your agency has name recognition and a proven track record of placing top-tier executives can take many years.

Starting an executive search firm simply takes time and practice but is certainly a next step after building your own recruiting agency. To learn more about how to start, build, and grow your own recruiting agency, check my online video training class here.

Does all of this seem overwhelming? It doesn’t have to be!
I’ve created an entire video training course to help you start, build, and grow your own staffing agency. Want to learn more? Check out the class here.