I am often asked how an Executive Search firm works and how I am different from a staffing agency. There is a definite difference, both for the hiring company and the candidate.

Retained Search

Some search firms work by retainer. These firms, similar to Johnson Executive Search, ask for a retainer before beginning the work. In exchange for partial payment up front,

• We work exclusively for our clients (The Executive Search Process) until a suitable candidate has been placed.
• We act in a consultative capacity to both the hiring manager and all the candidates reviewed for the open position.
• We take on fewer projects and spend more time on each project.

For the hiring company, the benefit to working with a retained search agency is the time and attention that is given to each search. Exclusivity is assumed with a retained search and these are usually more senior roles within the organization.

For the candidates, the benefit to working with a retained search agency is the personal attention and regular contact every step of the way.

Contingency Search

The majority of agencies fall into this category. There is no fee paid by the hiring company until the position is filled. The hiring company will often approach several firms to fill the same position, so the competition is fierce and time is of the essence.

For the hiring company, the benefit is that with several search firms all beating the bushes, the chances of finding suitable candidates can be quite high. The downside is that if they don't find anyone quickly, your posting will fall to the bottom of the priority pile and not be reviewed as often as it should.

For the candidates, the benefit to working with contingency firms is that they often have several postings at the same time and there are more choices.

Advice for Candidates

When applying through any search firm, check out the company's web site and make sure they work in your industry and at your level.

When dealing with any agency, there are 3 things they will want to know from you right away:

1. What is your area of expertise?
   • What is your job focus?
   • What industries are you familiar with?
2. What are your specific job criteria in terms of geographical location and perhaps even career opportunities?
3. What salary range are you looking for? This is not a "polite" topic for a first interview when dealing directly with the hiring company. Your search agent needs to know this up front, to make sure you are being well represented.

For a list of employment agencies in the Ottawa area, please check out this directory: Ottawa Employment Agencies