What is prized more and more by the clients of recruiting firms is the "search" method. If ten years ago most recruiting firms run advertisements today it is different. All of them use both methods. That is to say that they are using the method corresponding best to their need. Most of the time it will be decided on with the client and according to the problem to solve.
How to explain that the search method is in constant growth in recruiting firms?
1. Advertising profitability is decreasing; it comes as a result from over using and saturation, and as a consequence of the rapid growth of the sectors in need of candidates.
2. Head hunters are no longer the only ones entrusted with the recruiting of high level posts, whereas search firms are more and more. As a matter of fact the number of executives concerned by the search has greatly increased: the method has been developped and today it is acknowledged and looked for whereas advertisement running has proved its limits. Not too long ago head hunting was used by decision makers to search high level posts only: top executives or experts; today it is common for a firm to entrust a search firm with the recruiting of a junior or experienced executive, a young experienced manager. The size and homogeneity of the two respective populations prove that it is possible today to run an advertisement for a financial or computer manager, but that it is just as possible to launch a search mission for a young expert.
A look at the most important recruiting firms shows that advertisement runnings and search missions represent each 50% of their business activity.
