Recruitment markets have remained challenging through 2025, and many firms have turned to external hiring to provide a fresh impetus for growth. Whether it’s bringing in an experienced Director or Partner from a competitor to drive revenue, hiring someone to launch a new but connected practice, or — as many have done this year — appointing a senior leader to open a new geography, hiring the right person for these roles is complex and comes with immense pressure to get it right.

The traditional routes to market for finding such individuals are:

Direct: utilising existing employee networks, conducting LinkedIn searches, and investing significant time in outreach.
Contingent: briefing one or more agencies in the hope they find the right person.
Retained: paying a firm upfront to proactively search on your behalf.

All three can bring success — but they can also bring frustration.

So often, when we’re briefed on a potential search, these frustrations come to light:

• “We briefed two agencies on the role and haven’t seen any good candidates.”
• “We briefed an agency and have seen a few people, but we’re sure there are better ones in the market.”
• “We retained a firm and, while there were individuals on the map who looked right, we couldn’t get access to them.”
• “We retained a firm and had to start again due to a lack of candidates in the location we wanted to hire.”

Many will place the blame on the R2R. But often, both the firm and the R2R are going into the market a little blind — especially when the hire is for a new practice or a new location.

That’s where market mapping services come in. They enable a firm to gain a complete picture of the talent landscape before hiring even begins. It’s a strategic, data-driven approach that helps you understand who’s out there, where they are, and how they fit into your organisation.

And the best part? They’re not as expensive as signing a retainer.

Here’s why using a market mapping service can transform your next big hiring decision.

1. Target the Right Hire

Too often, hiring starts with guesswork — you define a role, produce a wishlist, and set an ideal timeframe.

A market mapping service provides real-time insights into the available talent pool, including where candidates currently work, their experience levels, salary expectations, and what motivates them to move.

With that knowledge, you can:

• Define roles that truly align with market realities
• Focus your search on the most relevant talent from day one
• Target the right locations

In short, you’re not fishing blindly — you’re targeting precisely.

2. Set Realistic Expectations for Timelines and Budgets

Search businesses often tell clients that the best people in the market aren’t applying for jobs — they’re busy succeeding in their current roles. Yet, when those same businesses hire internally, they often expect immediate results.

Market mapping helps you identify the right talent, including passive candidates — the ones who can make a significant difference to your business. Depending on the size and quality of the talent pool, you can set realistic timelines for an expected hire — whether that’s 3, 6, 9, or even 12 months.

3. Gain Valuable Competitive Insight

Market mapping isn’t just about people — it’s about understanding your competition.

A comprehensive mapping service can reveal:

• How your competitors structure their teams
• What titles and reporting lines are typical
• How compensation and benefits compare to yours

This intelligence empowers you to position your organisation more competitively — not just for one hire but across your entire talent strategy.

4. Strengthen Your Diversity Strategy

A thoughtful market map provides visibility into where diverse talent exists — by geography, industry focus, and seniority.

Armed with this data, your hiring strategy can move beyond token efforts to achieve genuine diversity and inclusion. You’ll be able to identify underrepresented groups in specific sectors and make data-backed decisions to build a more balanced workforce.

5. Future-Proof Your Hiring

Market mapping isn’t a one-time exercise — it’s an ongoing investment in talent intelligence.

By regularly mapping key markets, you’ll always know:

• Who the rising stars are
• Where skill shortages are emerging
• Which companies are building the strongest teams

This foresight allows your organisation to plan for succession, anticipate change, and hire proactively rather than reactively.

Final Thoughts

Market mapping services take the guesswork out of hiring. They give you the insight, clarity, and confidence to make smarter, more strategic decisions — whether you’re hiring for growth, expansion, or transformation.