The executive search professional (ESP) that you eventually contract with should be regarded by all people within your organization as an extension of your company. They act as your advocate. You need to determine if they operate in a way that enhances your brand name, not only with the people contacted and considered, but also with all those rejected.  This is a critical often overlooked factor.  Ideally you want the people rejected to feel they were treated respectfully and want to work with “next time”, and speak longingly about the one that ‘”got away”.