Executive search firms hear from very different buyers, from a founder looking for a first CFO to a board replacing a CEO on a tight deadline. This qualifier gathers the details a search consultant needs before the first call, so the team can tell quickly whether a lead fits its practice areas, fee model, and capacity.
The form opens with contact details and the respondent's role in the hiring process, then moves to the position itself: executive level, functional area, industry, and company size. After that it covers timing, the preferred engagement model (retained, contingency, or hybrid), and an approximate budget for search fees. Asking about the role before the money keeps the focus on the hire and makes the budget question feel like a natural next step.
A short follow-up appears only for people who say they have worked with a search firm before, asking what went well and what they would change. The closing questions cover the biggest challenges in the search, any extra context, the referral source, and whether the prospect wants a consultation call, which gives the recruiter a clear signal of intent.
