Because business practices vary widely between executive search firms, candidates often have a few questions for us. For example, when we contact people to discuss a new career opportunity, they often ask, “How did you find me?” (Most candidates want to know what they did right to ensure that new opportunities keep flowing their way.)

The answer could be flattering if a colleague recommended you. The answer might be instructive if you were found because of something you did; perhaps you wrote something or spoke at a conference, or perhaps your work appeared in the media or a public database. It’s also likely that your website bio or LinkedIn profile yielded relevant information. Perhaps we came across you during a previous search and wanted to keep you in mind for future opportunities.

Because of confidentiality requirements, the recruiting process tends to be opaque to job seekers. Perhaps that’s being too kind. Winston Churchill once described another country as, “…a riddle, wrapped in a mystery, inside an enigma…” and candidates might similarly describe executive recruiters. That’s why our candidate research team produced this short video to outline how we identify potential candidates for our clients.

Hopefully, the video helped to answer a few of your questions.

For additional perspective, you might enjoy:

• How to manage your career during an economic downturn
• The insider's guide to virtual interviewing
• A bit of perspective on the Washington DC job market