Our Process

Our Search Consultants use the Sanford Rose Associates® proprietary Dimensional Search® process which sets us apart.


It is a “multi-dimensional” process that matches:

  • The client’s position and expectations with those of the candidate, such as title, compensation, relocation, and amount of travel.
  • "Technical" requirements, such as education, relevant industry experience, and managerial experience with the candidate's relevant background and experience.
  • Cultural fit of the company with the candidate's experience and success in similar cultures and/or his likely adaptability to the company's culture.
  • The chemistry between the candidate and the hiring manager as well as the candidate's attributes to the subjective traits required in the Position Profile.
  • How "translatable" the candidate's experiences and capabilities are to the company's expectations with respect to responsibilities and major projects.

Once there is an agreement in place between Sanford Rose Associates® - San Francisco and your company, our consultants follow the general process described below. Also embedded in our proprietary process is a detailed 32-step process that we teach our consultants in our rigorous training programs. 

Sanford Rose Associates Process

Understanding Client Needs: This is the most essential phase of the search engagement. However, often times, this is the root cause of failed searches. Although needs and requirements may sometimes change during the course of a search engagement, unless there is a clear mutual understanding or anchor point established up front, the search process and results may be compromised. It is critical that we understand your company's culture so that we ensure that our candidates represent the right "cultural fit." Furthermore, we want to establish a comprehensive understanding so that we conduct the search efficiently and effectively. It is important that our firm be perceived by candidates as being well informed and professional since this indirectly reflects on the company as well.

Engagement: Once we have a clear understanding of your needs/requirements, we will send you an engagement agreement.  We have flexibility to negotiate terms and fee structure in order to arrive at mutually agreeable terms.

Position Profile:  Based on the client’s needs and requirements we create a comprehensive Position Profile in order to achieve the following key objectives: accurately reflect the client’s requirements, ensure that the candidate's background and experience match the responsibilities and requirements described by the client, and provide compelling information to prospective candidates regarding the uniqueness of the position as well as the company’s “sizzle”.

Candidate Identification:  Our search team conducts a planning meeting based on your specific search. It is important that the entire team understand the position requirements, company culture, etc. so that we can develop an effective "game plan." The mechanics for identifying candidates, as well as databases or information sources to be utilized are critical elements of this plan. At Sanford Rose Associates®-San Francisco, we utilize our own proprietary databases, as well as the Internet and other state-of-the-art tools and technologies, during this initial phase. However, most often the best candidates come from the extensive network of contacts our office has established within the specific industry sub-segments we serve. Referrals from colleagues within the industry are the best source of qualified candidates. These are usually employees who are highly regarded and are doing a good job - and usually are not actively searching Internet job websites nor are they constantly looking externally for their next job. Depending on the specific job, our search consultants may contact literally hundreds of candidates before identifying a suitable quantity of applicants for pre-qualification.

Interview Process and Debriefing: Prior to presenting candidates to clients, our search consultants do their best to determine not only if the candidate is a good match for the opportunity, but also the candidate’s motivation for making a change and if the candidate is genuinely interested in the opportunity. After Sanford Rose Associates®-San Francisco presents the candidate to the client for consideration, we believe in "sweating the details" with regard to the candidate trip, logistics, and other related details before, during, and after client-candidate interviews. Our search consultants are trained to sense any “red flags” that might occur during the candidate recruitment process and, not only inform clients of such issues, but work with client and candidate (if possible) to resolve them expeditiously.

Reference and Background Checks: We establish with the client the defined process with respect to the details and timing required for reference and background checks. Our office is generally able to assist you in ensuring that such checks are done prior to the candidate starting employment.

Test and Present Offer:  After weeks of hard work, it is imperative that the client and search team work together to ensure the offer is presented effectively as well as having proper contingency plans and clearly defining the next steps.

Resignation Consultation:  Resignation can be a very stressful and harrowing experience for candidates. It is important that an executive coach work with the candidate during this delicate period, especially since current employer counter-offers are commonplace. 

Post-Placement Follow Up:  Prior to the candidate’s start date, during the early phase of employment, and for months after the candidate’s date of hire, we believe that it is prudent to follow-up with both the client and the placed candidate to ensure that things are progressing satisfactorily. It is important that an effective on-boarding program be established with the client and that if any “issues” surface, that they be dealt with swiftly.