It is a common practice at contingency firms to scout and present the candidates who are presumably in their database or who have replied to an ad, with limited likelihood of locating the most qualified and accomplished leaders. Whereas, we, at XL Advisors, are a retained executive search firm that makes it a point to identify and persuade even the executives who are not actively looking, i.e. not "on the market,". This enables us to deliver the candidates with the appropriate combination of experience, abilities, and knowledge, as well as the required cultural fit. 

Looking for a leader with the right mix of skills and capabilities can be a tricky business, something like finding a needle in the haystack. We cut the haystack and present the needle to you on a plate. This is possible as we vet potential senior candidates who are already employed and successful at current organisations. While a contingency firm can only represent the candidates from their roster of actively looking.

We understand that hiring a new candidate for an executive position is a delicate matter on multiple levels. And so, we take utmost care to ensure that this information is withheld from your competitors, while avoiding alienation of clients and stockholders. In addition, the executive being replaced should not feel undue concern. We converse solely with carefully selected individuals and expose the organisation in question’s identity at the latest possible time. This discretion is valued by both candidates and clients.