Retained search training
Search Foundations, our retained search training, will guarantee you three key results:
- Transform your mindset on retained search
- Win retained clients with our Plug-and-Play Retained Sales Process
- Deliver retained search projects fast with 95-100% completion rates
What is Search Foundations?
A 3-stage training system for recruiters looking to secure and deliver more retained projects.
Stage 1
Reset your mindset, perceptions and misconceptions about retained search.
We’ll help you rethink and understand retained search better.
You will learn what a retained executive search firm does, why it works, and when clients choose it.
Retained search is impossible to sell and deliver without the fundamental knowledge and understanding, especially with some people having bad experiences with retained in the past.
First, we reset your mindset and perception about retained search, showing you exactly what it is, why it works, and when clients buy it.
Hundreds of people start winning retainers consistently within a few weeks, just from this shift in knowledge and fundamental understanding.
Stage 2
Our Plug-and-Play Retained Sales Process.
Identifying Opportunities: Find clients and stakeholders who are most likely to use retained services.
Sophisticated Engagement: Approach and engage prospects in a way that sets you apart from other recruiters.
10-Step Executive Meeting Blueprint: Use our 10-step plan to have effective meetings with clients, understand their needs, and show how retained services are the best solution.
Crafting The Perfect Pitch: Create a convincing pitch that addresses client concerns and positions you as a trusted partner.
Comprehensive Support: Access a variety of templates, resources, and personalized support to ensure your success at every step.
Stage 3
Our ‘Fast and Flawless’ delivery process guarantees a success rate of over 95%.
Retained Search Briefing Meeting Framework: Best practice approach to set up each project for success and enjoyment right from the start.
Guidelines & Metrics: Exact steps for finding, contacting, and mapping potential candidates, using global standards.
6-Step Candidate Outreach Process: Our proven method for contacting candidates, including direct communication and advanced headhunting techniques.
Candidate Competency Assessment: A straightforward method to evaluate candidates, adaptable for any search level, to create a qualified, interested, and assessed (QIA) longlist.
Longlist to Shortlist Transition: The exact techniques top search experts use to efficiently move from a longlist to a shortlist.
Project Completion Strategies: Drive each project to a successful end with smart strategies, clear communication, and regular updates with stakeholders.
Advanced Insights Include
Using Competitor Intelligence: Use gathered intelligence and data to start new
business conversations and gain advantage over your competitors.
Diverse and Future Talent Pipelining: Identify and pipeline diverse future talent, increasing the potential for multiple hires from each assignment.
‘BD from a Search’ Strategy: Maximize revenue and lead generation through each assignment, reducing the need for contingent work.
Who is it for?
Permanent and Direct Hire Recruiters looking to secure more work on a retained basis.
We work with recruitment business leaders and teams, regardless of experience level, client base, and market.
Want us to share success stories of businesses like yours?
What our members are saying
Being able to forecast the revenue once these placements land is surreal
30% fee and the total fee will be over $100 K
Five new searches in three months
We just won two 6-figure executive projects that one of the SHREKs pitched.
I got a signature on my first-ever retainer with an existing client
I am so much better armed to effectively sell our search solutions to clients
That’s me up to 5 wins so far
The course is changing my life
Two retainers won – Retrained magic touch!
The best videos I’ve seen!
This training was transformational to my business
Contingent to retained…win!
The Retrained presentation landed really well – the more we do it, the better!
Win !!
First retainer won!
First full retainer, with a new client!
Five new retained searches won
Trust the process!
Learn and follow the material…it works!
First retainer!
Search delivered and another win
One of the best trainings I have seen in my HR career
Your program and training are the absolute best!
“A result and process they have never seen”
2nd retainer signed
THE best investment I have made
Looking at our best quarter to date using the Retrained methodology
I am genuinely loving the course
Thank you Lou for all you have done with your programme
3 weeks in and work delivered
First retainer won – 1 month in
First ever pitch
New client for a VP search
Got my first fee paid yesterday!
Sold over US $800K worth of retainers in 2024
First Fee paid!
Working completely retained for years now!
1st Retainer Won!
Multi-Hire Project Win!
Biggest placement ever!
Success Story!
2nd Client Retained!
Good news!
1st retained Project!
Win… Full Process to Secure!
Multi Campaign Proposal – Secured!
Yearly target hit!
More retainers won!
Multi-hire Retainer!
10 in 1!!
First Win in the US!
I got it!! My first pitch won!
Back after outage! Sharing a quick win!
Retainer won with a new client!
Tiny weeny win with an existing client!
Had my big CEO meeting today!
Thank you!
a personal milestone!
2x Discovery calls booked!
Pitch from Presenting at a Conference!
Thank You & Progress Update!
Don’t be afraid of your ‘first’ Retained Conversation!
Had my first retainers confirmed last week!
F2F with a Managing Partner, yikes!
1st Retainer! And saved 50+ hours.
Spec CV to Retained Search in 1 year!
Booked a meeting with: Jordan Taylor!
Jordan The Great!
1st Retainer!
Closed 8 retained projects at 5 weeks in on the course!
Four role retainer won!
Candidate’s Feedback!
note from Bill Irwin!
What do you get?
Bite-Sized Training Videos
Watch easy-to-follow videos on our three-step retained search training system.
Downloadable Documents
Every template you need for selling and managing retained projects, like business development resources, proposals, terms of business, pitch decks, email templates, meeting agendas, and process guides.
Coaching
1-on-1 onboarding help and ongoing support, plus 4 live coaching sessions with experts each week.
Collaboration Calls
2 group calls each week to discuss retained search.
Masterclass Sessions
Industry experts share advice on topics like BD strategies, generating leads through marketing, pricing multi-hire campaigns, and more—all tailored to retained search.
Past Recordings
Access recordings of all expert masterclasses and collaboration calls.
Retained Search Community
Connect with a supportive group of retained search recruiters available 24/7 for help and advice.
How to Start Winning Retained Search Projects
We only invite 10 members to Search Foundations per month to offer the highest value to our clients and ensure exceptional results.
To make 100% sure that our system is right for you and that we can support your business goals, book a 45-minute demo with our team.
Over 1500 recruiters trust Retrained
Since completing the course, I’ve won three full 360 retained searches.
Gretchen Keller
HW3
I come from a background of average fee £2,250 and to be pitching to clients and getting agreements for £45,000 deals, it’s
night and day.
Shannon McKechnie
MBN Solutions
Trust me, I was the person who thought that retainers wouldn’t work for me at all. I’m half way through the course and have won two retainers and the course has given me so much confidence to deliver them both. I really do feel like I’ve had such value for money.
Susanna Gray-Jones
Chime Search
It’s revolutionary. Your clients won’t want to work with you in any other way moving forward.
Nick Green
Encore Professional Services
Retained is everything that my clients were crying out for. Great team, great service, great course.
James Martin
30Six Agency
We’ve won 12 new search assignments since completing the program.
Courtney Charlton
Luxembourg
Now, when we’ve sold a retained assignment we actually know the process and have been able to deliver well on it.
Tara Sharma
JEM Med
300% ROI and that’s literally after 3 months. I’m very optimistic about the future.
Aaron Davies
Jurupa
Retained elevates your client relationships, allowing you to work together in partnership.
Brenda Armstrong
ITEOM
I’m going to make much more money than I’ve made in my entire career
Sonya Danzig
Halma plc
