Solo executive recruiter in one niche

Small and mid-sized companies, startups and nonprofits that need a leader but have no in-house recruiting team for senior roles.

A fee for each placement, usually a percentage of the hired person's first-year pay. Some searches use a retainer paid in stages, others are paid only on success.

• Deep knowledge of one industry
• Confident networking and cold outreach
• Judging people and interviewing well
• Patience through long sales and hiring cycles

• Check whether your state or city requires an employment agency or search firm license or registration
• Have a lawyer review your fee agreement, including refund or replacement terms if a hire leaves early
• Income can be very uneven, since you may go months between placements, so keep cash reserves
• Follow anti-discrimination hiring laws and keep candidate data private
• Consider professional liability (errors and omissions) insurance
• Check any non-compete or non-solicitation terms from a previous employer before approaching their staff or clients

Startup costs are typically around $1,000 to $6,000, depending on your tools, website and insurance. These are estimates. Consider professional liability (errors and omissions) insurance, and keep cash reserves because income can be uneven.

Monthly revenue is typically around $0 to $12,000, depending on how many placements you close. These are estimates, and you may go months between placements, so income can be very uneven.

Check whether your state or city requires an employment agency or search firm license or registration. Have a lawyer review your fee agreement, including replacement terms, and check any non-compete or non-solicitation terms from a previous employer.