Our S³P Search Methodology: Select, Source, Strategize, Partner
Search doesn’t fail because there aren’t good candidates.
It fails because the process is rushed, misaligned, or treated like a transaction.
After years of working in highly specialized talent markets, we refined how we approach search to reflect what actually leads to successful, lasting hires. The result is our S³P Search Methodology: Select, Source, Strategize, & Partner.
S³P is not a rigid formula or a buzzword-driven framework. It’s a practical, disciplined way of running searches that prioritizes clarity, alignment, and long-term outcomes, for both company clients and candidates.
Why S³P Exists
Too many searches start with sourcing.
Titles are copied from old job descriptions. “Nice-to-haves” quietly become requirements. Speed takes priority over alignment. Candidates are evaluated against a moving target.
S³P slows the right parts down so everything else moves faster.
Each phase builds on the one before it, creating a search that is intentional, market-aware, and grounded in reality.
The Four Tenets of S³P
Select
Before we engage the market, we define the role with precision.
This phase is about getting honest and specific:
What problem is this role actually solving?
What skills are required on day one, and what can be learned?
Where does this role sit today, and where does it need to grow?
What does success look like a year from now?
When the role is clearly selected, the search becomes focused instead of speculative.
2. Source
Once the target is clear, we source deliberately.
Our approach emphasizes:
Deep market knowledge within relevant niches
Identifying passive candidates who aren’t actively looking
Thoughtful outreach that reflects the role accurately
Quality conversations, not volume
This is not mass outreach or resume collection. It’s targeted, informed sourcing built on relationships and credibility.
3. Strategize
Search is dynamic. Markets shift. Candidate expectations change. Feedback matters.
Throughout the process, we continuously strategize by:
Interpreting real-time market data and candidate feedback
Advising on competitiveness, positioning, and trade-offs
Adjusting the approach when needed, without losing momentum
This is where search becomes a partnership rather than a checklist.
4. Partner
The final (and ongoing) component of SSSP is partnership.
We don’t disappear once candidates are submitted. We stay actively involved by:
Helping clients evaluate candidates beyond resumes
Providing honest guidance when decisions get complicated
Advocating for long-term fit, not quick wins
Our goal isn’t just to make a placement, it’s to support hires that stick and succeed.
What Company Clients Experience with S³P
When search is run this way, the difference is noticeable:
Clearer roles and stronger candidate alignment
More confident decision-making
Efficient searches without sacrificing quality
Better retention and long-term outcomes
Fewer surprises. Better results.
A More Thoughtful Way to Search
SSSP reflects how we believe search should work: intentionally, strategically, and with respect for both the company client and the candidate.
If you’re looking for a search partner who values clarity over speed and outcomes over optics, we’d love to talk.
