Which are the main competencies to assess an executive search consultant?

Adina asks: Which are the main competencies to assess an executive search consultant?

In answer:
There are certain key skills that they must have, without which they can not perform and hence deliver.

The most important skill is communication, that's in both engaging with the client (and questioning their requirements - executive search consultants/head hunters don't just take briefs!), as well as their personal and professional networks to most likely deliver the right candidate in a reasonable time scale.

Secondly, there are professional skills. A track record of closure, and a personal ownership over a "taking the brief and staffing it out" corporate process - the fee's are high for a reason of time purchase/delivery on strategy, not a brand. By essence, this means you are buying a sophisticated "sales" person, but the signs of that are seen by a strong love of networking delivered through a disciplined and detailed approach.