Our Process | Xist4 - A Data and Technology Recruitment Agency | Bristol | London

How a Search Works

1. Briefing

A real conversation, not a form emailed over. What the role has to achieve, why it matters, what success looks like at twelve months, and what would put the right people off. We ask the questions most recruiters skip, and the answers shape everything after.

2. Diagnostic

Before anything goes to market, or to find out why a live search has stalled, we work out what is actually wrong: the brief, the salary, the advert, the process. This is the step we run as a standalone service, the Hiring Campaign Diagnostic, for anyone who wants to start here.

3. Research and Whole-Market Mapping

Before we approach a single person, we map the whole market for the role, not the slice that happens to be on the job boards this week. That means the people actively looking and, more to the point, the far larger group who are not looking at all but would move for the right opportunity. Most of the strongest candidates sit in that second group. We benchmark what they earn and what would make them move, so if your salary or brief is out of step with the market, you hear it from us before we go any further.

4. Outreach That Starts With a Why

We approach the best-fit people directly, one at a time, never as a bulk message. And every approach starts with a why: what you are building, why it matters, and why someone good should consider leaving a job they are not unhappy in. We promote the employer and the opportunity, not just the vacancy. Strong candidates do not move for a job title. They move for a reason, so we give them one.

5. Longlist and Assessment

A considered longlist, assessed against the brief on capability, motivation, expectations and whether the move genuinely makes sense for the person. Every name on it is one we would stand behind.

6. Shortlist, Offer and Beyond

Shortlisted candidates are briefed, prepared and kept close. We manage both sides of the offer, handle counteroffer risk before it becomes a problem, and stay with it through notice and into the first weeks. Then we check in at Day 1, Week 1 and at one, three, six and twelve months. A good hire should still be a good hire a year on.

 

Ready to Start a Search?

If you have a role to fill and want to work with a recruitment partner who is clear about how they work and why, we would be glad to hear from you.

Register vacancy Book Xist4's Hiring Campaign Diagnostic

1. Briefing

We start with the right questions

2. Diagnostic

We find what's wrong before you go to market, or why it stalled after

3. Research

We map the whole market, not the job boards

4. Outreach

We reach the people who are not looking

5. Assessment

We present people we stand behind

6. Offer and Beyond

We stay involved until they are settled

What our clients say

Testimonials

Xist4’s Executive Search solved our lack of time and market reach, truly understood our brief, and delivered strong candidates from near and far while keeping us updated each week. We made the hire within seven weeks and would not go back to our old approach.

For five years, Xist4 has reliably delivered high-quality engineers for n.able’s complex, high-tech needs. In the last two years alone, they have found 14 of our new recruits, and their professionalism and understanding stand out.

For over five years, Xist4’s local knowledge and IT pedigree have helped us fill specialist roles in remote locations with thoroughly qualified, on-brief candidates. Gozie is friendly, approachable and prioritises our vacancies, and we are pleased to recommend Xist4 for IT hiring.

Our first experience with Xist4 was excellent: they prepared thoroughly, understood a new role in an unfamiliar industry, kept us on track with regular catch ups, and even gave us ATS access. Their commitment to diversity and Gozie’s responsive, reliable approach helped us find not just one but several outstanding candidates.