A Guide to the Executive Search Industry
Independent guide to the executive search industry
Executive search,explained clearly.
Clear, independent guides and analysis for employers, candidates and headhunters, from choosing a search firm to understanding fees, process and market trends.
Start here
Introductory articles
A curated starting point for readers new to the site, covering executive search basics, how search firms work, where AI fits, and how to think about specialist hiring support.
Foundational guide
The Ultimate Guide to Executive Search Firms
A practical starting point on what executive search firms do, how they charge, and how to compare different partners.
Read guide →Practical
Do You Really Need a Headhunter?
A practical guide for startup founders weighing specialist search firms against direct hiring.
Read article →Curiosity
AI and Executive Search: Can AI Replace Executive Search Firms?
A sharper look at what AI can improve in executive search, and where judgement still matters most.
Read article →Specialist
Venture Capital and Private Equity Headhunting
A deeper look at executive hiring in investor-backed businesses, and why these searches often work differently.
Read article →
Browse by audience
For employers, candidates and headhunters
Start with the most useful guides for your perspective.
For Employers
Practical guidance on choosing search firms, running executive hiring processes and understanding specialist markets.
Featured guide
The Ultimate Guide to Executive Search Firms
A practical guide to what executive search firms do, how they charge and how to choose the right partner.
For Candidates
Clear advice on how candidates should think about headhunters, executive search processes and specialist recruiters.
Featured guide
How Executive Recruitment Works
A step-by-step look at how executive search really works, from first brief to final appointment.
For Headhunters
Market insight, specialist positioning and articles on how firms differentiate themselves in a crowded industry.
Featured article
Beyond the Big Five
A look at how boutique executive search firms are competing with larger, more established players.
Latest on the site
Recent articles and analysis
A selection of recently published articles from Better Headhunting, including commentary, guides and analysis. This section is updated as new pieces go live, so it may not change every week.
View all articles →
PageGroup’s 2026 Warning: What a 67% Profit Drop Says About Executive Hiring Confidence
PageGroup's falling numbers and insights extracted about the wider recruitment and executive search industry in 2026.
Read article →Metric Search acquired by Southfield Capital in $100m deal
Nottingham-based specialist recruitment firm acquired by Southfield Capital, the US private equity firm.
Read article →Robert Walters 2026 Update: UK Growth Amid a Global Mute
Global headhunting giant reveals the UK market is bucking the global slump, showing an increase in recruitment fees.
Read article →Executive search resources
Sector guides, specialist firm rankings and search market insight
Explore Better Headhunting’s guides to executive search firms by sector, function, geography and specialist market.
