Besides filling jobs, recruiters sidle up to clients by providing counsel, usually about human-resource and organizational issues. Traditional search relies heavily on executive networks and candidate databases. Usually, that recruiter is working on one or two assignments for a client at any point in time. Getting the right people in the right place right now matters most. There's no room for traditional formalities that give the illusion of thoroughness.
Execution outweighs long-term planning.
For starters, the gold isn't in the Who's Who books or published databases. Rising Net stars move quietly within a new-media network of hip, creative people who see themselves as visionaries. They respect developing an idea in a garage and taking the business to funding. They want to deal with people experienced in their kind of fast-build startup realities. Unlike Fortune 500 companies that align on visions and stay on course, Internet companies morph every 60 to 90 days.