private employment agency specializing in the recruiting of professional and managerial personnel; also called executive search firm. The fees charged by these agencies range up to one-third of the first year's total salary and bonus package for the job to be filled.

independent employment service (or individual) that seeks out personnel for high-level executive positions; formally known as an executive search company (or consultant). Headhunters are generally used by companies that are looking outside their present staff to fill executive positions.