Why is that?

Research and Understanding.
When a professional search consultant begins a search he first takes the time to learn the specifics. He develops an understanding of the client’s business, the department, the specific job requirements, the reasons the position is open, and the preferred candidate profile. By researching the situation, the search consultant learns the answers to potential candidate’s questions.

Screening. The knowledgeable search consultant can then better advise the client company on the merits of a specific candidate and can make an informed decision as to which candidates “fit” the client’s position and which do not. The better an understanding the search consultant has, the more time he will save a client by screening candidates.

Unlimited Candidate Pool. The professional search consultant uses many methods to develop potential candidates to recruit. The potential candidate list is not limited to candidates that are in the job market and actively looking for new positions. This is another reason having an in-depth understanding is crucial to the search consultant because candidates that are not active are much more difficult to recruit. The search consultant needs to give the candidate convincing reasons founded on facts about the company and career opportunity in order to recruit a top candidate away from a satisfactory job situation.

Recruiting from Competitors. The search consultant takes the ideal profile and begins a search by developing knowledge of the client’s industry and contacting potential candidates working for the client’s competitors and related companies. Recruiting candidates from the client’s competitors is what search consultants do. It is sometimes looked upon unfavorably for companies to do their own recruiting from competitors because of relationships or because the industry frowns upon it.

Candidate and Industry Knowledge. Professional search consultants know their specialty and what is generally important to candidates. He should also be aware of what is going on in the industry. This allows him to take advantage of the knowledge of corporate takeovers and the resultant displaced employees and other happenings within the marketplace.

Improved Communication. Search consultants can also help clients in other ways. Often candidates or client employees are misunderstood in interviews and search consultants can bridge the gap communicating feedback to both parties.

Well-Prepared Candidates. In addition, a good search consultant helps the candidate through the interview process and often allows the candidates to present themselves in the best way possible which allows the client to get the most pertinent information about the candidate.

Closing the Deal. Finally, finding a good group of candidates to interview is useless unless the desired candidate accepts an offer and takes the job. That is the intended goal of any search and anything less is a waste of time. The professional search consultant should add value by doing references, advising on compensation packages and in general helping to close the deal.