Question 1

How is this different from a recruiter or executive search firm?

Accepted Answer

Recruiters and retained search firms are paid by the hiring company. Their fiduciary duty is to the employer, not to you. They present candidates who fit the brief — not candidates who are best served by the role. Decoding Work is paid entirely by you, the senior leader. That changes everything: which roles we surface (not just the ones we have a fee on), how we advise on compensation (we want you to earn more, not close a deal), and what we tell you honestly about a company or offer. We work for you in the same way a lawyer or financial advisor works for their client.

Question 2

How much does it cost?

Accepted Answer

Engagement fees range from Rs.1.5 lakh to Rs.5 lakh depending on scope, the modules engaged, and the length of the active search period. Most full engagements (strategy + brand + active search) run 3 to 6 months. We offer a free 30-minute discovery call before any commitment, and a written proposal before any payment is made. For placements sourced through our employer network, there is an optional success component of one month CTC, agreed in writing upfront. All fees are transparent — no surprises.

Question 3

How long does an engagement typically take?

Accepted Answer

The Career Strategy Intensive runs 2 weeks. The Personal Brand Sprint runs 4 weeks. Active Search Support runs 3 to 6 months, depending on market conditions, the seniority of your target role, and how well-positioned you are at the start. Our median time from engagement start to a CXO offer is 90 days. Some clients move faster — a strong candidate with a clear target and active market can see offers in 45 days. Others take longer — complex transitions or niche roles can run 6 months. We set realistic timelines at the discovery call.

Question 4

Will my current employer find out?

Accepted Answer

Confidentiality is a core part of how we work with employed senior leaders. We do not blast your profile to companies. Every employer introduction is made only after you have approved it. We advise on how to manage your LinkedIn updates so they do not signal an active search to your current employer. We do not share your name, current employer, or search status with any third party without your explicit permission. If you have specific confidentiality requirements, we document them at the start of the engagement and adhere to them strictly.

Question 5

What roles do you typically place senior leaders into?

Accepted Answer

We work across functions and sectors, with a focus on Director, VP, SVP, and CXO roles in India. Common placements include: Chief Human Resources Officer, Chief Operating Officer, Chief Marketing Officer, Chief Revenue Officer, VP Engineering, VP Product, VP Sales, and Business Unit Head roles. We have active relationships with employers across technology, BFSI, consumer, healthcare, and professional services. We also support senior leaders targeting international roles — primarily UAE, Singapore, and UK markets — though our network is deepest in India.

Question 6

Do you work with international roles?

Accepted Answer

Yes, with some nuance. Our employer network is deepest in India, so active search support is strongest for India-based roles. For international markets — UAE, Singapore, UK, and US — we can provide career strategy, personal brand, and interview preparation at full strength, and make introductions through our network where it exists. If you are an India-based senior leader exploring a move abroad, or an NRI considering a return to India, we are well-positioned to help you navigate both markets. We are transparent about the limits of our network in each geography at the discovery call.

Question 7

What if I don't land a role within the engagement period?

Accepted Answer

We agree timelines at the start and review progress at the 90-day mark. If you are in active search and have not yet received an offer, we will discuss whether to extend the engagement, adjust the strategy, or pause. We do not disappear when the formal period ends — if you are close to an offer, we stay with you through the negotiation at no additional fee. We also offer a continuation rate for extended active search beyond the original scope. Our incentive is for you to land — that is what earns us referrals and testimonials, which are the foundation of our business.

Question 8

Why would a senior leader pay for this when recruiters are free?

Accepted Answer

Recruiters are not free — you pay for them with information asymmetry and misaligned advice. A recruiter working on a fee from the employer has every reason to close the deal quickly, at the salary that fits the client's budget, and to manage your expectations downward. Senior leaders at the Director-to-CXO level are making decisions worth crores in lifetime earnings. A 10% improvement in your next CTC — through better role targeting, stronger negotiation, or access to roles you would not have found — pays for this service many times over. The question is not whether you can afford this. It is whether you can afford to navigate a career transition worth this much without a partner whose only job is to get you the best outcome.

Your Executive Career,
Decoded

Who We Partner With

What We Actually Do

Career Strategy Intensive 2 weeks

Personal Brand Sprint 4 weeks

Active Search Support 3–6 months

Post-Landing 90-Day Partner Optional add-on

Transparent Pricing

Engagement Fee

Success Component (Optional)

Free Discovery Call

What Makes Us Different

Senior Leaders We've Partnered With

Questions Senior Leaders Ask Before Engaging

Your Executive Career,Decoded