Start with the Specialty of the Position
A generalist firm may be effective for common roles, while a technical or executive position often requires a specialized network. Ask what comparable roles have been handled recently, who led the searches, and in which industries. A precise answer is more useful than a long list of sectors displayed on a website.
Montreal encompasses very different markets: technology, aerospace, financial services, life sciences, commerce, creative, and corporate functions. The recruiter must understand the job titles used in your sector, the companies that employ this talent, and the language expectations of the role.
Evaluate the Approach Method
Ask how the firm builds its target list, presents your company, and verifies the genuine interest of contacted individuals. A serious search is not just about posting an ad. It typically combines direct research, networking, skills validation, and motivation follow-up.
- Who will be your contact after the contract is signed?
- How many mandates is this person managing concurrently?
- How often will you receive a market update?
- How will refusals and salary expectations be documented?
- What checks are included before the presentation?
Check Access to the Montreal Market
A local address is not enough. Verify knowledge of talent pools, commuting, hybrid work, and competition among employers. For a bilingual or pan-Canadian position, ask how the search will be conducted in both French and English, and in which regions candidates will be approached.
The executive search firms in Montreal page allows you to identify active firms, their categories, and their contact information. Create a short list of partners that are genuinely aligned with your needs rather than sending the same request to the entire directory.
Compare Proposals on the Same Criteria
Provide an identical brief to each firm: responsibilities, objectives, team, workplace, compensation, timeline, and reasons why a high-performing individual would accept the position. Then compare the proposed strategy, deliverables, follow-up pace, fees, and guarantees.
Be wary of guaranteed timelines without diagnostics or a large number of promised resumes. For a targeted search, the quality of selection and transparency about the market are worth more than a volume of applications.
Conduct Client Reference Checks
When the mandate is significant, ask for one or two references related to comparable searches. Good questions focus on the quality of framing, communication when the search becomes challenging, relevance of candidates, and adherence to commitments. Also, check how the firm protects confidential information.
Decide with a Weighted Grid
Assign a weight to five criteria: industry expertise, quality of method, responsible consultant, business transparency, and references. This grid reduces the impact of a persuasive presentation and facilitates explaining the choice to other decision-makers.
Before signing, ensure that the firm can explain where the talent is located, how it will approach them, and how it will measure progress. Review active profiles in Montreal, engage with two or three specialists, and choose the most credible method for your position.
