The Association of Executive Search Consultants (AESC) is the worldwide professional association for retained executive search firms (sometimes simplified as executive recruiters, or headhunters). The AESC promotes the highest professional standards in executive search through its industry-recognized Code of Ethics and Professional Practice Guidelines. The AESC also serves to broaden public understanding of the executive recruitment process and acts as an advocate for the interests of its member executive search firms.

The AESC also runs BlueSteps, a career management service for senior executives, and CorporateConnect, a service for HR professionals offering executive search industry information and access to the AESC directory of its member executive recruiters.

Read more about The Value of Retained Executive Search and the AESC.