How Search Works — Walden Talent Partners

The Philosophy

A search should begin with clarity, not a rush to submit resumes.

The first deliverable is not a candidate. It is a sharper understanding of the market around the role: what the role actually requires, what the market will deliver, and where the friction will come from. That foundation changes the quality of everything that follows.

[ TERRANCE — Read through the 6-step process below. Does it match how you actually run a search? Let us know any steps you'd reorder, reword, or remove. ]

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Process walkthrough — visual overview of the 6-step search process with Terrance narrating (~3 min)

Signed agreement before any candidate is submitted

Every search begins with a signed agreement that outlines scope, fee structure, guarantee terms, and candidate ownership. There are no surprises and no informal handshakes.

Role clarification and business context

A structured intake process builds a complete picture of what the role requires, why it is open, what success looks like in twelve months, and how this hire fits the organization's current moment.

Market brief delivered before outreach begins

A written brief is delivered before any outreach occurs. It covers salary benchmarks for this role in this market, where qualified candidates are concentrated, timeline expectations, and the search risks most likely to cause delays.

Practitioner-led search and direct outreach

Search is conducted through direct relationships, not database queries or job postings. The best candidates for senior roles are not actively looking. They respond to people they know and respect.

A narrow, qualified slate with written rationale

Three to five candidates are presented. Each profile includes a written rationale explaining why this person fits this role in this organization. Volume is not a quality signal.

Support through offer, acceptance, and the first ninety days

The placement is not the end of the engagement. Walden supports the offer process, manages competing interests if they arise, and stays in contact through the guarantee window. A 90-day replacement guarantee is included on every placement.

What clients say about the process

"The market brief alone was worth the conversation. We realized the role we had written was not the role we actually needed."

Client name, Title, Company

[ TERRANCE — The quote above is a placeholder. Please send a real quote from a client — even one sentence from someone who had a good experience. Their name, title, and company would be ideal, but anonymous is fine too. ]

What the 90-day guarantee covers

Voluntary resignation within 90 days of start
Performance termination within 90 days of start

Requires: invoice paid within 30 days of start, written notice within 10 business days of departure. Does not cover layoffs or restructuring.

Ready to discuss a search?

A brief conversation is the right starting point. Tell us about the role and we will share an honest view of the market.

Discuss a Search

The process is the product.