Frequently asked
Executive search questions, answered for candidates.
You may be actively considering a move or simply curious about an approach. Here is what to expect, what to ask and how we handle the conversations that follow.
How do I get headhunted?
Make it easy to understand your experience. Keep your LinkedIn profile and CV current, with clear examples of what you have led, the decisions you have been responsible for and the results you have achieved. A job title alone rarely tells the full story.
At Cleverain, we also find people through research, market mapping, referrals and professional networks. A large online following is not a prerequisite. Let us know what you would consider, including locations and working arrangements, even if a move is some way off.
Do I pay anything as a candidate?
No. The hiring organisation pays Cleverain’s recruitment fee. We do not charge you to register your interest, be considered for a role or be introduced to a client.
You do not need to purchase additional services to participate in one of our searches.
What should I expect when a headhunter calls?
Expect us to explain why we contacted you and whether we are discussing a particular role or getting to know you for future opportunities. We will ask about your experience and priorities, and share the role’s purpose, working arrangements and remuneration where available.
Some assignments are confidential. We may need a confidentiality agreement before naming the client or sharing sensitive details, and we will explain that upfront.
The first conversation is an opportunity to decide whether it is worth exploring further. You are not committing to an application.
How do I keep a job search confidential?
Tell us how and when it is safe to contact you. Use a personal email address and phone number, and let us know about any organisations or professional relationships that require particular care.
Cleverain obtains your written permission for the named employer and opportunity before sharing your identity, CV or identifiable candidate details. We agree referee contacts and timing with you, and will not approach your current employer without your permission.
Signing a confidentiality agreement does not, by itself, authorise us to submit you for a role.
What questions should I ask a recruiter before I engage?
Ask why the role is available, what the organisation needs the person to achieve, who they will report to and what support they will have. Clarify the remuneration, location and working arrangements early.
You should also understand the recruiter’s relationship with the client, whether the search is exclusive, who will assess you and the expected stages and timing.
Ask how your information will be handled and when you can expect an update. Where an answer is not yet available or cannot be disclosed, the recruiter should explain why.
How do I move into a C-suite or executive role?
Build a clear case for the responsibility you want to take on. Show how you set direction, make difficult decisions, lead across functions and take accountability for outcomes. Those outcomes might involve financial performance, transformation, service delivery or community impact, depending on the organisation.
Look for opportunities to broaden your exposure to budgets, governance, senior stakeholders and organisation-wide decisions.
At Cleverain, we consider transferable experience and potential alongside your track record. You do not always need to have held the same title, but you do need to demonstrate why you are ready for the role.
Should I approach an executive search firm directly?
Yes. A relevant introduction can be valuable well before a vacancy arises. Send us your CV or LinkedIn profile, explain the work you would like to do next and tell us what matters in a move. Scope, location, timing and flexibility are all useful to understand.
Our recruitment assignments are driven by client requirements, so we may not have a suitable opportunity immediately. An introduction helps us understand where your experience could be relevant. It does not guarantee a role, and it does not mean we will circulate your details without permission.
Why have I not heard back?
There are several possible reasons, so it is better to ask than assume. Interviews, approvals or changes to a brief can delay a search. It may also be that another candidate is progressing.
Once you are involved in a Cleverain search, we will agree next steps and keep you informed when timing or status changes. If an expected update has not arrived, contact the person managing your search.
Where you are not progressing, we will explain the outcome and share available feedback, while respecting other people’s confidentiality.
Are there executive roles outside the capital cities?
Yes. Cleverain’s regional searches include leadership and specialist appointments across local government, infrastructure, community services and corporate functions. These can involve substantial responsibility and a close connection to the communities the organisation serves.
Tell us whether you are based regionally or considering a move. We will help clarify the role’s scope, location requirements, flexibility and any relocation support available.
A regional opportunity should be assessed on what it offers professionally and personally. Your career ambitions, family commitments and preferred lifestyle all belong in that conversation.
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Talk to us about the work you want to do next and what would make an opportunity worth considering.