Author Archives: JRG Partners Editorial Staff

What Is a Candidate Calibration Call in Retained Search?

Why this strategic meeting is critical to refining and accelerating your executive hiring process In the retained executive search process, few moments are as pivotal—and as overlooked—as the candidate calibration call . For clients, this is not just another meeting. It’s a strategic pause designed to align , refine , and optimize your search based on early candidate interactions.

What Does the Candidate Funnel Look Like in a Retained Search?

When you engage a retained executive search firm, you’re not just hiring a recruiter to “find someone.” You’re investing in a sophisticated, multi-phase process that filters a vast pool of potential candidates into a select group of top-tier leaders. Key Stages of the Executive Search Candidate Funnel 1.

How Long Does the Initial Market Mapping Phase Take in a Retained Search?

Key Takeaways (For Busy Executives) Typical Timeline: 10 to 15 business days from kick-off to delivery of the market mapping report. Key Influencing Factors: Role complexity, geographic scope, industry competitiveness, and clarity of the position specification. Client Involvement Matters: Faster feedback and early clarity can reduce delays by several days.

What research tools are used to identify potential candidates?

Unpacking the Technology and Methodology Behind Top-Tier Talent Identification When clients engage a retained executive search firm, one of the most frequent questions they ask is: “What exactly do you use to find candidates that we couldn’t find ourselves?” In this article, we pull back the curtain on the modern recruiting tech stack—explaining what research tools executive search firms use.

How is the target list of companies for sourcing created?

A Behind-the-Scenes Look at Strategic Targeting in Retained Executive Search In retained executive search, a great candidate slate doesn’t start with a job posting—it starts with a map. That map is the target company list , a carefully constructed group of organizations where top talent is likely to reside.

What happens in the search “kick-off meeting”?

A Strategic Guide for Hiring Managers and HR Leaders Preparing for a Retained Search Launch When engaging a retained executive search firm, the kick-off meeting is not a formality—it’s the foundation of the entire engagement. If done well, this initial session aligns expectations, clarifies success metrics, and sets a search up for strategic precision.

What is a “Position Specification” and Who Drafts It?

The Executive Hiring Document That Aligns, Attracts, and Elevates When it comes to high-stakes hiring—especially at the executive level—vague job descriptions and rushed internal briefs won’t cut it. That’s where the position specification comes in. If you’ve ever wondered “What is a position specification in executive search?” , or how it differs from a typical job description, you’re not alone.

The Importance of Calibrating with Your Search Firm After First Interviews

Introduction: You’ve Met the Candidates—Now What?. You’ve completed the first round of interviews. The candidates were good—some even close—but you’re not quite there yet. Maybe they were a bit too senior. Or not quite dynamic enough. Or great on paper, but lacking cultural alignment. This is a pivotal moment in the retained search process.

Understanding the ‘Market Mapping’ Report in a Retained Search

Introduction: More Than Just a Candidate List In retained executive search, you’re not paying for speed—you’re investing in precision. And one of the most strategic deliverables of that investment is the Market Mapping Report . But what exactly is a market map? How should you interpret it? And—most importantly—how can you use it to shape your hiring strategy?

Retained Search Firm Assesses for Cultural Fit, Not Just Skills

Why the Right Resume Isn’t Enough at the Executive Level When hiring for a C-suite or critical leadership role, it’s tempting to prioritize hard skills and past achievements. After all, a strong resume signals capability. But in the real world, it’s not skill gaps that tank executive hires—it’s misalignment with company culture .