Search Firm - Will Not Disclose Company Name

A search firm just contacted me about a leadership position at a management consulting firm.  Their description of the position and responsibilities sounded great, but the search firm would not disclose the name of their client to me.  Is this unusual?   I'd like to do some research on the consulting firm in advance of next steps.

It is not usual for a search firm, particularly a firm working on a retained search basis, to withhold the name of their client at the very initial stage of the process. Such action may be at the specific request of the hiring company or because of protocols established by the recruiting firm.

If the executive recruiter believes you are a good "fit" for his/her client, your information will likely be submitted or discussed with that client in very short order. If the client expresses initial interest in your candidacy back to the recruiter, the recruiter will then contact you, usually with full disclosure of the company name, position title, etc.

In any event, you should definitely receive information on the hiring company -- name, background, position title, responsibilities, etc., prior to any initial interview or other substantive contact with the hiring company. You will therefore have the time necessary to conduct your initial research and initial due diligence on the hiring company.

It is in both the recruiter's best interest and the hiring company's best interest for you to learn as much as possible about the company prior to the initiation of the formal interview process.  For more "search firm" inquiries or information use the resource section in ConsultingCareerQuest.com.

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