What should you ask an executive recruiter before you engage?
By Cindy Nicholls Smith · Published January 30, 2026
Ask who is paying them, whether the search is retained, who will actually do the work, how your name is protected, what the client's real decision timeline is, and how many searches like this one they have completed in your market.
Who the recruiter works for
A recruiter is paid by the employer. That is not a problem, but it should be stated plainly, because it determines whose interests are represented when timelines and compensation are negotiated.
Who does the work
In many firms the person who wins the mandate is not the person who runs it. Ask who will interview you, who briefs the client, and who is in the room at the shortlist discussion.
What the client has actually decided
Ask whether the role is approved, budgeted and scheduled, and how many candidates the client has seen. A search that has already run twice without a hire tells you something the job description will not.