Inside an APB search

Discovery & brief

Typically 45–60 minutes · mostly listening on our side

A structured conversation. You walk us through the requirement — we listen, refine in real time, and present back examples of the kind of candidate we'd be looking for so we can calibrate. Every dimension that matters gets captured: package, decision-makers, interview process, position description, and business priority. The brief is written up, you sign it, and the search begins.

Output: A signed brief that becomes the reference document for the entire search.

Search setup

Within 24 hours of sign-off

We confirm the brief back to you in writing, map the full interview process (rounds, interviewers, availability), discuss the offer envelope upfront, and agree how rejection feedback flows. Internally we assess role difficulty so we deploy the right resources — that part you don't see.

Output: Written brief confirmation · interview process locked · offer budget agreed before we go to market.

Sourcing & screening

Days 1–10

We start from our existing pre-screened database — we maintain a continuous market map of every credible commercial leader in your sector — then add fresh outreach where the brief warrants it. Every candidate is interviewed against a structured screening discipline covering experience relevance, remuneration alignment, network strength, recognition drivers, working rhythms, and motivation to move. No candidate moves forward unless all six are confirmed.

Output: A vetted pool of candidates who could realistically do the job and would realistically take it.

Endorsement, one at a time

First endorsement within 24 hours of brief sign-off

We don't dump a stack of CVs. We endorse one candidate at a time, highest quality first. You get a confidential profile — experience, industry specialisation, performance, market segments, role level, selling style, key strengths, current situation — with names and current employers withheld until you've decided to interview.

Every candidate we endorse is interview-grade. If we say they're worth seeing, they're worth seeing.

Output: A confidential profile delivered, CV attached, candidate available for interview · we call within 24 hours to discuss and book.

Interview management

Standard: 1st (45–60 min) → 2nd (45–60 min) · panel added for executive hires

We own the scheduling, prep both sides, and debrief after every round. Every interview has a logged outcome within 48 hours. If you reject a candidate, we call you within 24 hours to capture specific feedback — never "not quite right" — so the next endorsement is sharper. We stay between you and the candidate throughout to surface concerns early.

Output: Structured debrief notes after each round · candidate-side signals you wouldn't otherwise hear.

Offer management

Offer typically extended with a 5–7 business-day decision window

Before any offer is drafted, we have a direct conversation with the candidate to confirm exactly what they'll accept. We don't draft an offer that won't close. That's why our offer-to-acceptance rate runs at ~90%. We coordinate the formal offer, run the counter-offer defence if it appears, and stay engaged through resignation and notice — the highest-risk window where most placements fall over.

Output: Signed offer · resignation managed · agreed start date.

Onboarding & placement protection

Day 1 · Week 1 · Week 2 · Month 1 (and beyond, per your terms)

Day-1 morale check with the candidate, Week-1 call to surface integration issues, Week-2 email check-in with the hiring manager, formal separate Month-1 conversations with both sides. We catch mismatches before they become resignations. Placement-protection period continues per your signed Terms of Business — typically with check-ins each month for the duration.

Output: Early-warning on ramp issues · a retained relationship for the next search.