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How to hire a search consultant

Search consultant hiring summary. Here are some key points about hiring search consultants in the United States:

  • In the United States, the median cost per hire a search consultant is $1,633.
  • It takes between 36 and 42 days to fill the average role in the US.
  • Human Resources use 15% of their expenses on recruitment on average.
  • On average, it takes around 12 weeks for a new search consultant to become settled and show total productivity levels at work.

How to hire a search consultant, step by step

To hire a search consultant, you should create an ideal candidate profile, determine a budget, and post and promote your job. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to hire a search consultant:

Here's a step-by-step search consultant hiring guide:

  • Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
  • Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
  • Step 3: Make a budget
  • Step 4: Write a search consultant job description
  • Step 5: Post your job
  • Step 6: Interview candidates
  • Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new search consultant
  • Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

What does a search consultant do?

A search consultant works for educational institutions such as colleges and universities to search for deans, college presidents, and vice-presidents. You will be responsible for identifying and evaluating the best potential candidates to fill an institution's job vacancies. Your duties will include looking for effective ways to organize the search process, writing the job description, and responding to applications and nominations. In addition, you are expected to organize interviews, structure the search committee, and check references. You will also guide the chair in providing leadership for the search process so that confidentiality rules are understood and adhered to.

Learn more about the specifics of what a search consultant does
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  1. Identify your hiring needs

    Before you post your search consultant job, you should take the time to determine what type of worker your business needs. While certain jobs definitely require a full-time employee, it's sometimes better to find a search consultant for hire on a part-time basis or as a contractor.

    Determine employee vs contractor status
    Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

    You should also consider the ideal background you'd like them a search consultant to have before you start to hire. For example, what industry or field would you like them to have experience in, what level of seniority or education does the job require, and how much it'll cost to hire a search consultant that fits the bill.

    Here's a comparison of search consultant salaries for various roles:

    Type of Search ConsultantDescriptionHourly rate
    Search ConsultantHuman resources specialists recruit, screen, interview, and place workers. They often handle other human resources work, such as those related to employee relations, compensation and benefits, and training... Show more$17-34
    Self-EmployedA self-employed person works without the supervision of a specific employer. Self-employed entrepreneurs decide their business plans to increase profitability and get involved with the current market trends... Show more$12-21
    RecruiterRecruiters are responsible for filling up vacancies in the organization. They put up job postings on the company website and other recruitment websites, screen applicants, prospective schedule candidates for interviews, conduct initial interviews, and, should candidates pass the initial interview, endorse them to hiring managers... Show more$16-35
  2. Create an ideal candidate profile

    Common skills:
    • Client Websites
    • Digital Marketing
    • WordPress
    • HR
    • Keyword Research
    • CSS
    • URL
    • JavaScript
    • HTML
    • CMS
    • Google Analytics
    • Background Checks
    • Marketing Campaigns
    • Search Engine
    Check all skills
    Responsibilities:
    • Manage candidate drug testing program, ensure internal I9 compliance and conduct associate personnel record audits.
    • Manage the hiring process through the use of Kanexa BrassRing, Peoplesoft, and other systems.
    • Provide SharePoint development and administration, budget and financial reporting; manage invoicing; and develop training manuals and user guides.
    • Focuse on HTML5/CSS3, Javascript, Wordpress, Wordpress plugin development, PPC ad campaign management, media buy campaign management.
    • Apply HTML and CSS knowledge by updating site content, structure and information.
    • Front end/UI development; JavaScript, HTML5.
    More search consultant duties
  3. Make a budget

    Including a salary range in the search consultant job description is a good way to get more applicants. A search consultant salary can be affected by several factors, such as the location of the job, the level of experience, education, certifications, and the employer's prestige.

    For example, the average salary for a search consultant in Ohio may be lower than in Hawaii, and an entry-level engineer typically earns less than a senior-level search consultant. Additionally, a search consultant with lots of experience in the field may command a higher salary as a result.

    Average search consultant salary

    $51,380yearly

    $24.70 hourly rate

    Entry-level search consultant salary
    $37,000 yearly salary
    Updated December 19, 2025

    Average search consultant salary by state

    RankStateAvg. salaryHourly rate
    1California$73,964$36
    2New York$71,394$34
    3Massachusetts$57,962$28
    4Washington$56,203$27
    5Connecticut$53,943$26
    6Colorado$53,795$26
    7North Carolina$51,381$25
    8Virginia$50,492$24
    9Minnesota$50,073$24
    10Texas$49,304$24
    11Illinois$49,187$24
    12Missouri$48,727$23
    13Arizona$48,595$23
    14Michigan$45,682$22
    15South Dakota$45,265$22
    16Indiana$44,197$21
    17Ohio$44,006$21
    18Wisconsin$43,929$21
    19Iowa$43,572$21
    20Georgia$43,153$21

    Average search consultant salary by company

    RankCompanyAverage salaryHourly rateJob openings
    1VLink$72,256$34.741
    2GPAC$67,437$32.42
    3Randstad RiseSmart$63,704$30.63
    4Imaginuity$53,158$25.56
    5Superior Health Plans$52,514$25.25
    6Sutter$52,484$25.23
    7CliftonLarsonAllen$50,997$24.522
    8Management Recruiters International(MRI)$49,243$23.67
    9DealerOn$47,640$22.902
    10ManpowerGroup$45,354$21.806
    11Adecco$45,310$21.781
    12AMN Healthcare$41,003$19.71
  4. Writing a search consultant job description

    A job description for a search consultant role includes a summary of the job's main responsibilities, required skills, and preferred background experience. Including a salary range can also go a long way in attracting more candidates to apply, and showing the first name of the hiring manager can also make applicants more comfortable. As an example, here's a search consultant job description:

    Search consultant job description example

    Manpower Engineering represents some of the best talent in the Engineering community. We are expanding and conducting a search for Direct Hire Search Consultants. If you are an experienced Recruiting professional and want be entrepreneurial and in complete control of your own success this could be the ideal opportunity for you. Manpower Engineering attracts and retains professionals in Direct Hire, Executive Search, Retained Search, Project and Contingency placement. We represent both top tier Fortune 500 clients as well as smaller companies looking for a specialized Engineering recruiting partner. Are you driven, highly competitive and a proven producer looking make well over six digits? Ready to work with an award-winning ethical firm with over 60 years in the industry? Ready to work with a team with an avg of 10 years of tenure and a strong history of success?
    Our challenge to you:

    Put People to Work! Connect high performing and motivated candidates with meaningful permanent jobs

    Build Relationships! Devise new and innovative ways to leverage your social networks and industry communities to build a strong pipeline of in-demand candidates and loyal clients

    Exceed your Performance Goals! Drive consistent high-quality activity and follow a detailed search methodology resulting in consistently monthly placements

    Be an Expert! Be recognized as the strategic and specialized talent partner with your clients and develop new job opportunities by successfully differentiating us from our competitors

    Are you competitive and used to winning? Join our winning team at Manpower Engineering.

    Manpower Engineering is committed to helping our employees achieve their career goals while enjoying a strong total rewards package and pay-for-performance culture. We also offer a variety of continued growth and advancement opportunities. We're looking for hungry and high potential talent ready to start strong and deliver on the expectations below:

    Grow revenue by putting more people to work

    Build loyalty and deliver top notch service leading to strong client and candidate satisfaction ratings

    Required

    Industry: 2 years of recruiting experience or sales experience in industry

    Prior experience or exposure to leading Direct Hire searches

    History of success in a role with specific KPI and financial deliverables

    Client facing experience or prior sales experience

    Interest in expanding existing client relationships

    Education: High school diploma or equivalent

    Preferred

    Education: Bachelor's Degree

    Vertical knowledge: In-depth knowledge and experience of one or more verticals (manufacturing, skilled trades, business services)

    Apply today to hear some of our star recruiters share more about their work and career journey, giving you a glimpse into a day in the life as a member of our team.

    About ManpowerGroup

    ManpowerGroup (NYSE: MAN), the leading global workforce solutions company, helps organizations transform in a fast-changing world of work by sourcing, assessing, developing and managing the talent that enables them to win. We develop innovative solutions for hundreds of thousands of organizations every year, providing them with skilled talent while finding meaningful, sustainable employment for millions of people across a wide range of industries and skills. Our expert family of brands - Manpower , Experis , Right Management and ManpowerGroup Solutions - creates substantially more value for candidates and clients across 80 countries and territories and has done for 70 years. In 2018, ManpowerGroup was named one of the World's Most Ethical Companies for the ninth year and one of Fortune's Most Admired Companies for the sixteenth year, confirming our position as the most trusted and admired brand in the industry. See how ManpowerGroup is powering the future of work: www.manpowergroup.com

    ManpowerGroup is an EOE/AA/Vets/Disabled Employer

    **Job:** _Sales/Retail/Business Development_

    **Organization:** _ManpowerGroup_

    **Title:** _Search Consultant_

    **Location:** _CO-Denver_
  5. Post your job

    There are a few common ways to find search consultants for your business:

    • Promoting internally or recruiting from your existing workforce.
    • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
    • Attend job fairs at local colleges to meet candidates with the right educational background.
    • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to recruit passive job-seekers.
    Post your job online:
    • Post your search consultant job on Zippia to find and recruit search consultant candidates who meet your exact specifications.
    • Use field-specific websites.
    • Post a job on free websites.
  6. Interview candidates

    During your first interview to recruit search consultants, engage with candidates to learn about their interest in the role and experience in the field. During the following interview, you'll be able to go into more detail about the company, the position, and the responsibilities.

    Remember to include a few questions that allow candidates to expand on their strengths in their own words. Asking about their unique skills might reveal things you'd miss otherwise. At this point, good candidates can move on to the technical interview.

    The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

  7. Send a job offer and onboard your new search consultant

    Once you've selected the best search consultant candidate for the job, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, this letter should include details about the benefits and perks you offer the candidate. Ensuring that your offer is competitive is essential, as qualified candidates may be considering other job opportunities. The candidate may wish to negotiate the terms of the offer, and you should be open to discussion. After you reach an agreement, the final step is formalizing the agreement with a contract.

    It's equally important to follow up with applicants who don't get the job with an email letting them know that the position has been filled.

    After that, you can create an onboarding schedule for a new search consultant. Human Resources and the hiring manager should complete Employee Action Forms. Human Resources should also ensure that onboarding paperwork is completed, including I-9s, benefits enrollment, federal and state tax forms, etc., and that new employee files are created.

  8. Go through the hiring process checklist

    • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
    • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
    • Define job responsibilities and requirements
    • Establish budget and timeline
    • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
    • Write job description
    • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
    • Promote the job internally
    • Process applications through applicant tracking system
    • Review resumes and cover letters
    • Shortlist candidates for screening
    • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
    • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
    • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
    • Conduct background checks on top candidates
    • Check references of top candidates
    • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
    • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
    • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
    • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
    • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
    • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)
    Sign up to download full list

How much does it cost to hire a search consultant?

Before you start to hire search consultants, it pays to consider both the one-off costs like recruitment, job promotion, and onboarding, as well as the ongoing costs of an employee's salary and benefits. While most companies that hire search consultants pay close attention to the initial cost of hiring, ongoing costs are much more significant in the long run.

You can expect to pay around $51,380 per year for a search consultant, as this is the median yearly salary nationally. This can vary depending on what state or city you're hiring in. If you're hiring for contract work or on a per-project basis, hourly rates for search consultants in the US typically range between $17 and $34 an hour.

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