Search the Way It Was Intended
| ALAN DARLING CONSULTING | Typical Retained Search Firm | |
| Success Rate | 94% | 77% * |
| Presearch Survey & Report: “The Job and Its Environment” | Always | Brief and no written report |
| Research Calls By | Always by a Principal | Junior Staffers |
| Candidate Interviews By | Always by a Principal | Often by Junior Staffers |
| Search Constrained By Prior Work (due to previous clients being off-limits) |
Rare | Frequent |
| Candidates Contacted Per Search | 200 or more | 25 to 100 |
| Reference Checking | Before presentation to client | After presentation to client |
| Candidates Presented | As a group, to allow for comparison | One at a time, “shoot until you score” |
| Searches Per Year, Each Consultant | 6-8 | 21 ** |
| Fee Structure | 33-1/3% *** (research included) | 33-1/3% plus significant research & administrative charges |
* Source: International Association of Corporate & Professional Recruitment
** Source: Executive Recruiter News