Search is often mistaken for ‘pursuit’, which commences with a fixed objective and is conducted in a given time frame and area, and is concluded on capture.

Most placement firms in India therefore, smugly carry home their fees having done their ‘paperwork’ and ‘transferred’ the workforce from one place to another. That is called transportation, not search.

However, search is essentially always in present continuous, diligently marching towards future perfect. Search doesn’t begin when the client calls, or a candidate registers themselves with a firm.

Selection is generally the procedure adopted in the ‘middle level management placement’ market, when the need is urgent and desperate. Random Selection is the only way out then. It turns out to be a frantic effort to fill up a position or an effort to solve an immediate vacancy problem, as is frequently the case in lower/middle level management in the IT and BPO sectors of India today.

'Transactional Search' or 'Selection' is therefore a sure-shot way to find a reasonable match for the position on an urgent basis among a veritable sea of resumes, but it rarely entails partnering, knowledge sharing, problem solving and accountability on the part of the search firm. It lacks well thought-out strategy, eye for detail and psychological profiling of candidates.

Search doesn't stop at 'discovery', because after discovery begins a new journey for search – putting the discovery to its rightful and proper use.

Selection might be a rigorous and sometimes time-taking process to execute, it is nowhere close to the scope and function of Executive Search. And needless to say, there is no fixed formula for success when people need to be moved in the higher corridors of power.

Besides the ‘scientific and accurate’ methods of search adopted by most other search firms, EA India believes in applying ‘the human touch’ to a more positive effect. Our professional ethics demand that we interact regularly with all parties irrespective of whether they have already said “I do” or not. Especially in the initial months after joining - understandably the most sensitive period for the assignment.

The temperaments of our consultants are attuned to speedy reciprocation, one-to-one contact, confidentiality, and comfort for both clients and candidates.