Professional search firms play a big role in discovering and choosing leaders for senior roles. That’s why anyone with C-suite ambitions needs to understand the recruiting process and what these evaluators are looking for. Mark Thompson, chairman of the Chief Executive Alliance, and Byron Loflin, global head of board advisory at Nasdaq, explain the ins and outs of recruitment, how to develop your narrative and navigate formal assessments and reference checks, and the best ways to build ongoing relationships. Thompson and Loflin are authors of the HBR article "How to Stand Out to C Suite Recruiters" and the book CEO Ready: What You Need to Know to Earn the Job and Keep the Job.