Search Signals - Quick Classification Guide
How to classify a search as High, Medium, or Low signal using profit, client access, and competition.
Overview
This guide gives STRSI sales a consistent way to evaluate the strength of a search before investing time and effort. Every search should be reviewed against three core signals:
- Profit
- Access to power
- Competition
If you are unsure how to classify a search, default to Medium Signal.
5-Second Classification Rule
Use these three questions as a quick decision framework:
- Is the estimated profit strong enough?
- Do we have real access to the hiring manager or client team?
- How many vendors are competing on the requirement?
If all three signals are strong, the search is High Signal. If the opportunity is workable but not clearly advantaged, it is Medium Signal. If margin, access, or market position is weak, it is Low Signal.
Quick Reference Table
| Signal Level | Profit | Access to Power | Competition |
|---|---|---|---|
| High | $18+ estimated profit | Direct hiring manager relationship, quick response, active working relationship | 1-2 vendors |
| Medium | $13-$18 estimated profit | Hiring manager access or direct communication with the client account team | 3-6 vendors |
| Low | Below $13 estimated profit | No direct hiring manager relationship or limited client feedback | Large vendor pool or open VMS |
High Signal Search
Select High Signal only when all three conditions are clearly in your favor.
Profit
- Estimated profit is
$18+
Access to power
- Direct hiring manager relationship
- Quick response and feedback from the hiring manager
- Active working relationship with the client
Competition
1-2vendors working the requirement
Quick test: If profit is strong, client access is direct, and the field is limited to one or two vendors, classify the opportunity as a High Signal Search.
Medium Signal Search
Most searches will fall into this category. A Medium Signal Search is still worth working, but it does not offer the same level of advantage, control, or margin as a high-signal opportunity.
Profit
- Estimated profit is
$13-$18
Access to power
- Hiring manager access, or
- Direct communication with the client account team
- Feedback is available, but may not be immediate
Competition
3-6vendors
Quick test: If the search has viable profit, some level of client access, and moderate competition, classify it as a Medium Signal Search.
Low Signal Search
Select Low Signal if any of the following conditions apply. Unlike High Signal, this category does not require all criteria to be weak. One major limitation can be enough to reduce the value of the search.
Profit
- Below
$13estimated profit
Client access
- No direct hiring manager relationship
- Limited or no feedback from the client
Competition
- Large vendor pool
- Open VMS environment
Quick test: If the search is low margin, lacks meaningful client access, or is widely distributed across a broad vendor pool, classify it as a Low Signal Search.
Recommended Default
If the search does not clearly meet the High Signal standard and does not clearly fall into Low Signal, classify it as Medium Signal.
This keeps classification consistent across the team, prevents overrating unclear opportunities, and creates a more disciplined search strategy across recruiting.