Start a solo niche headhunting business from home

Small and mid-sized employers, scale-ups and owner-managed firms that need a director, head of department or specialist and lack the time or network to find them.

A fee for each successful placement, usually a percentage of the hire's first-year salary. Some searchers also charge a smaller upfront retainer to start a search.

• Deep knowledge of one industry
• Confident at approaching people by phone and LinkedIn
• Good judgement of people and discretion with confidential information

• Income is lumpy: a search can take months and you are usually paid only on success, so keep savings to cover quiet spells
• Check the rules for employment agencies and businesses in the UK, including how you handle candidate data and any requirements on fees and advertising
• Handling personal data means registering with the ICO and following UK GDPR, so check what applies to you
• Professional indemnity and public liability insurance are worth checking, as a bad hire could lead to a dispute
• Many employers already use agencies, so expect to win trust slowly and avoid breaching a former employer's restrictions

Startup costs for a solo niche headhunter are typically around £500 to £4,000, depending on the tools, insurance and marketing you choose. These are estimates, so build your own budget before you commit any money.

Estimated monthly revenue is typically around £0 to £10,000, depending on how many searches you complete. Income is lumpy: a search can take months and you are usually paid only on success, so keep savings for quiet spells.

Check the rules for employment agencies and businesses, including fees and advertising. Handling personal data means checking ICO registration and UK GDPR. Also look at professional indemnity and public liability insurance, and any restrictions from a former employer.