Government job recruiting in particular is rife with fraudulent practices, some so-called public sector search firms running deceptive newspaper classified ads. For international job seekers, there is a wider choice of reputable executive search firms, yet there is still much to watch out for.

Here are some job search starting points for both international and public sector search firms:

1. Use employment resources that include lists of executive search firms
2. For government jobs, it may be best for job seekers to begin their search directly with US federal government agencies rather than with public sector search firms
3. Explore specific international and public sector search firms with longstanding reputations

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Do your own search in US public sector and non-profit areas without using search firms

Find job listings, online applications, and advice from government agencies and nonprofit organizations without using executive search firms.

I recommend: USAJOBS, an online searchable database of US government jobs, is run by the United States Office of Personnel Management. Sponsored by leading social activist organization Action Without Borders, Idealist.org is an online searchable database of nonprofit organization jobs. PublicServiceCareers.org offers do-it-yourself executive job searches in both government and nonprofit areas. Its three notable nonprofit association sponsors include the National Association of Schools of Public Affairs and Administration (NASPAA).

Find resources with lists of search firms for both international and public sector jobs

Finding the right international and public sector search firm may involve trial-and-error sifting through resource lists.

I recommend: The Riley Guide is a longstanding online information hub for employment opportunities and job resources. Riley's exhaustive list of online Job Banks and Recruitment includes those services aimed at executive-level searches. The Guide also offers Directories of Recruiters, some free and others fee-based. The Membership Directories of the National Association of Executive Recruiters (NAER) and/or the Association of Executive Search Consultants (AESC) are also worth visiting. govtjobs.com maintains a list of Executive Search Firms specializing in US government employment.

Visit specific international search firm and nonprofit public sector search firm websites

Find out about those international search firms with longstanding established reputations and public sector search firms aiming at non-government nonprofit organizations.

I recommend: Founded in 1964, Egon Zehnder International is one of the leading international search firms with offices located in 37 countries. Find consultants specializing in specific world regions at American-based Korn/Ferry International, also with offices worldwide. For those seeking nonprofit public sector recruitment firms, Commongood Careers is a job search organization aimed at those potential employees and executives they call "social entrepreneurs." They maintain Job Listings in the public sector as well as fee-based one-on-one Jobseeker Services.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Exercise a degree of caution when responding to classified-style employment ads in newspapers as well as at Craigslist-type free classified ad websites.
• •  While recruiters and executive search firm companies can be instrumental in finding a position, still couple their job search skills with your own personal efforts.