Our search process is centered on the fact that we know so many nonprofit professionals in the Bay Area and are able to quickly get word out to potential candidates. Because of our Bay Area experience, we can also do a thorough job of evaluating candidates through references and knowledge of the organizations from which many candidates are coming.

The searches that we do are intended to be faster and less costly than major search firms. They require less of our time (we suggest a ceiling of 80 hours) so that at that stage, with only time paid, we can evaluate whether a continued search makes sense with minimal cost to the client. If we cannot find qualified candidates quickly, we believe that other methods should be considered.

Most searches have taken fewer than four months to complete, but the actual time varies considerably, depending upon a number of factors that we are happy to discuss.

The activities we perform include:

1. Discuss and review the job description, salary, candidate profile, and timetable desired with the position's manager.
2. Develop short and long job descriptions.
3. Discuss and recommend appropriate places where the position should be listed.
4. Post the position description through our website, personal email distribution and selected on-line search sites and review our database of resumes.
5. Call selected individuals to see if they are interested or have recommendations.
6. Screen and review materials on potential candidates and determine if there are possible matches.
7. After determining whether there are appropriate matches, conduct interviews.
8. If the candidates still appear to be a strong match, discuss candidates with organization and forward written summaries of our impressions. Assist in scheduling additional interviews between the candidates and the employer.
9. If appropriate, assist in negotiations and salary offer. Contact references and perform the appropriate credential checks and criminal background checks.
10. Inform unsuccessful candidates of the decision.