How I work

A clear, structured intelligence process designed to support confident, high impact hiring decisions whether you’re hiring directly or advising clients.

This isn’t recruitment, and it isn’t opinion.

It’s independent talent intelligence, applied at the point where decisions matter most.

1. Discovery & briefing

Every engagement starts with a focused conversation to understand what success actually looks like.

This isn’t recruitment, and it isn’t opinion.

We align on:

The role’s purpose, scope, and level
What “good” looks like in practice, not just on paper
Target markets, competitors, and relevant talent pools
Any constraints around timing, geography, or context

This ensures we’re aligned before research begins and that the work answers the right questions.

2. Market mapping

I then conduct structured research to build a grounded view of the market you’re hiring into.

This typically includes:

Mapping relevant organisations and talent pools
Understanding how comparable roles are structured elsewhere
Identifying both visible and less obvious sources of talent
Sense-checking expectations against real market conditions

The outcome is clarity on what talent actually exists, at what level, and where.

3. Candidate research & insight

From there, I build a qualified longlist of relevant individuals, enriched with insight not just data.

Each profile focuses on:

Career context and trajectory
Relevance to the role and environment
Signals beyond a CV or LinkedIn profile
Any potential gaps, risks, or areas to explore further

This transforms raw research into usable intelligence.

4. Properly qualified conversations (where appropriate)

Where deeper validation is needed, I speak directly with candidates, not to sell a role, but to test substance.

These conversations explore:

Motivation and decision drivers
Depth of experience and real contribution
Alignment with the challenge at hand
How individuals think, not just what they’ve done

This adds signal where paper profiles fall short.

5. Decision support & debrief

The final output is designed to support decisions, not create more noise.

You’ll receive:

Clear summaries and comparative insight
Context around trade-offs and risk
An objective view you can trust
Support in forming conviction whether you proceed, pause, or adjust direction

The goal is clarity before commitment.

When the decision matters, clarity matters first

Whether you’re building your own team or advising clients, independent insight reduces uncertainty and strengthens judgement.

Get an independent view

Or reach me directly at
info@jdfsolutions.co.uk · 0207 041 6282