FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

The brief takes 30 minutes. Elevate is searched the same day. A shortlist of three candidates follows within two weeks. Most placements are completed within four to six weeks from the initial conversation.

Three. We do not send long lists. Every candidate presented has been personally assessed by James and is a credible match for the mandate. If none of the three are right, we go back to Elevate before presenting again.

If a placed candidate leaves within 12 months for any reason other than redundancy or a change in the role scope, TalentSmiths will conduct a replacement search at no additional fee. This applies to all retained mandates.

Retained only. This is not a volume business. A retained mandate means James is personally committed to the search and Elevate is activated immediately. Contingency arrangements are not offered.

Elevate is a private network of 10,000+ EAs and Chiefs of Staff built over 20 years. Members are not actively job-seeking. They are introduced to mandates by TalentSmiths when the match is right. A job board shows you who is available. Elevate shows you who is exceptional.

Yes. TalentSmiths places both Executive Assistants and Chiefs of Staff. Many mandates at Stage 3-4 require a hybrid profile. James will advise on the right designation during the brief.

London, New York, Miami, San Francisco, and Austin. London is the most mature market and has the largest Elevate presence. New York has the highest compensation benchmarks. Miami and Austin are the fastest-growing markets.

Yes. TalentSmiths has placed candidates across borders on multiple occasions. Relocation candidates from London to New York and New York to Miami have performed particularly strongly. Visa requirements and relocation logistics are discussed during the brief.

The brief covers the principal type, the scope of the role, compensation expectations, working style, and any non-negotiables. James conducts the brief personally. It takes 30 minutes and is the most important part of the process.

James will tell you. The most common reason searches fail with other firms is that the brief was never properly challenged. TalentSmiths will push back on scope, compensation, or expectations if the brief as stated is unlikely to result in a successful placement.

Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. TalentSmiths looks for EAs at Stage 2 and above with a track record of supporting demanding principals. The application takes approximately 20 minutes and includes a short written assessment.

Nine99 is an invitation-only tier within Elevate. Nine99 members receive The Edition first, are considered for the most senior mandates, and have access to James directly. Nine99 status is not applied for. It is offered.

Every mandate has a specific profile. James reviews Elevate manually for each search. Factors include stage, sector experience, working style, city, and compensation expectations. Being in Elevate does not guarantee consideration for every mandate.

The Edition is the TalentSmiths intelligence briefing for Elevate members. It covers compensation movements, off-market mandates, market observations from James, and career intelligence. It is not a newsletter. It publishes when there is something worth saying.

The initial application review takes five to seven working days. If your profile is a strong match for Elevate, you will be invited to a 30-minute conversation with a member of the TalentSmiths team. The full process from application to Elevate membership takes two to three weeks.

No. Many Elevate members are happily placed and join to stay informed about the market, access The Edition, and be considered for future mandates. You will only be introduced to a principal if you indicate you are open to a conversation.

TalentSmiths works primarily with Stage 2 through Stage 4 EAs and Chiefs of Staff. Stage 1 candidates are occasionally considered for specific mandates. The majority of Elevate members are Stage 3 and above.

No. Joining Elevate is free. TalentSmiths is paid by the principal, not the candidate. There are no fees, subscriptions, or charges at any point in the process.

TalentSmiths manages the process end to end. You will be briefed on the mandate before any introduction. If you proceed, TalentSmiths coordinates all interviews, manages feedback, and handles the offer stage. You will not be left to manage the process yourself.

All mandates are confidential by default. Principal names are not disclosed until both parties have agreed to proceed. Your profile is never shared without your explicit consent. Discretion is the foundation of how TalentSmiths operates.