Real life, unfortunately, rarely runs so smoothly. Many search assignments are marred by miscues, miscommunication and even mistrust. Search professionals merely do what every manager would do, if they had the time, the experience and the contacts. HR professionals and headhunters have complementary skills. Headhunters know the outside marketplace.
HR departments know the company's dynamics and idiosyncrasies.
The best results are achieved when both work together. As with other professional-services firms, good search consultants don't come cheap. The best search consultants create win-win results by balancing the needs of the employer with the reality of the marketplace. Finally, they are masters of the neglected art of reference checking, including asking the tough questions that elicit elusive truths. Start at the beginning.