3C - Career Consulting Company

What 3C - Career Consulting Company does

3C - Career Consulting Company GmbH is a Munich-based executive search boutique founded in 2001 that specializes in recruiting C-level executives and senior management for enterprises across the DACH region (Germany, Austria, Switzerland). The firm runs a focused service portfolio covering Executive Search, Interim Management, Assessment & Evaluation, and applicant-facing advisory, operating across 11 industries and reporting more than 2,000 successful placements over its 24-year history. Project durations are capped at 2-3 months, consistent with a senior-level, time-bounded search mandate model rather than ongoing RPO or staffing arrangements.

The business is operated by a small permanent team of 17 employees led by named partners including Caroline Riesterer, Helmuth Merkel, Helene Kaiser, Delphine Landry, Michael Kummer and Annika Nöldeke, positioning the firm as a senior-led, peer-to-peer advisory practice. There is no proprietary technology platform or application layer; the underlying "technology" is the firm's candidate network, methodology, and consultant relationships accumulated across two decades of mandates. Geographic reach beyond DACH is delivered through partnership with TES International and its 15 international member firms, rather than through owned international offices.

Revenue mechanics are fee-based, project-priced engagements paid by enterprise clients for discrete C-level search mandates. The firm has no external funding, is privately held as a GmbH, and holds active memberships in BDU, ECA, DfWB and LFTM industry bodies, which function as both governance signals and deal-flow channels. Go-to-market is direct enterprise consulting engagement, supported by external brand credentials including seven consecutive years (2018-2024) on the FOCUS list of top German executive search firms and the 2018 Headhunter of the Year award.

Name

3C - Career Consulting Company

Legal name

3C - Career Consulting Company GmbH

Website

https://personalberatung-3c.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

2001

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

3C - Career Consulting Company is a Munich-based executive search boutique founded in 2001 that recruits C-level and senior managers for enterprises across the DACH region, operating with 17 employees and a partner-mediated international reach via TES International.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Executive Search and Leadership Advisory Services

NAICS

Executive Search Services (561312), Employment Placement Agencies (561311), Management Consulting Services (54161)

SIC

Services-Employment Agencies (7361), Services-Engineering, Accounting, Research, Management (8700)

akta.pro primary industry

C-Suite & Board Search (BPACAAAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Talent Management & Workforce Planning Consulting (BPAHAGAA), Leadership Development & Executive Coaching (BPAHAGAD)

Keywords

• Executive search services
• Interim management placement
• C-level recruitment
• Leadership assessment services
• Headhunting consulting

Headquarters

HQ city

Munich

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Executive Search Services: Retainer-based professional services for C-level and executive recruitment. Projects have maximum 2-3 months duration. Revenue generated through professional consulting fees for matching employers with executive candidates.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

3C - Career Consulting Company is a boutique executive search firm that recruits C-level executives, senior experts, and interim managers for companies across 11 core industries in the DACH region. The firm provides Executive Search, Interim Management, and Assessment & Evaluation services using a peer-to-peer consulting methodology, with projects typically completed within 2-3 months. It also offers career placement support to senior professionals seeking executive roles.

Product overview

3C - Career Consulting Company is a unified executive recruitment service offering four interconnected modules: Executive Search (core C-level and expert recruitment), Interim Management (temporary executive placement), Assessment & Evaluation (candidate evaluation and leadership advisory), and For Applicants (career placement services for professionals). The company operates with a peer-to-peer consulting methodology, leveraging 24 years of industry experience and global partnerships to deliver recruitment solutions within 2-3 months per project.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Executive Search Recruitment service identifying and placing C-level executives and senior experts through peer-to-peer consulting interviews and established professional networks. Targeted at companies in the DACH region seeking to strengthen leadership teams across 11 core industries. Project duration typically capped at 2-3 months.
• Interim Management Temporary executive placement service that fills leadership gaps during transitions, providing companies immediate access to experienced management talent. Designed for organizations requiring interim C-level or senior management coverage.
• Assessment & Evaluation Comprehensive evaluation services for identifying, developing, and placing candidates, including competency assessment and leadership advisory. Supports companies in candidate evaluation and leadership development decisions.
• For Applicants Career consulting and placement services for job seekers, supporting senior professionals in finding executive and expert-level positions across industries. Provides access to hidden executive opportunities not publicly advertised.

Quantifiable outcome

• 2000+ successful recruitments
• +2 more outcomes

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• TES International - Talent Executive SearchcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGlobal partnership providing connections with boutique executive search agencies in all important business locations worldwide. Enables 3C to serve international clients and conduct cross-border executive search mandates.
• BDU (Bundesverband Deutscher Unternehmensberater)minorOthersMember of German Association of Management Consultants. Affiliation with industry body for consulting standards and professional development.
• ECA (European Confederation of Executive Search Associations)minorOthersEuropean Confederation of Executive Search Associations membership providing industry network and standards.
• DfWB (Deutschland für die Welt)minorOthersPartnership with DfWB initiative.
• LFTMminorOthersPartnership with LFTM organization.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves4 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Broad incumbents

• Korn Ferry: Global organizational consulting firm offering executive search, talent management, and leadership development. Comparable to 3C on executive search but with a much broader talent management portfolio and global scale.
• Heidrick & Struggles: Global executive search and leadership advisory firm with strong DACH presence. Comparable to 3C as it competes for C-suite and senior executive search mandates, but operates at much larger scale with broader leadership consulting services.
• Robert Half: Global staffing and placement firm offering executive search services through Robert Half Executive Search. Overlaps with 3C's senior-level placement offering but covers a much broader staffing portfolio.
• Russell Reynolds Associates: Global executive search firm focused on C-level and senior executive recruitment. Comparable to 3C on the C-suite search core offering with significant DACH presence, though operating at much larger scale.
• Spencer Stuart: Global executive search and leadership advisory firm. Comparable to 3C for senior executive recruiting across industries, with significant European and DACH operations; competes on similar premium C-level mandates.

Regional players

• Hays Executive: Specialist executive search and senior recruitment practice within the global Hays Group, with established German operations. Comparable to 3C on senior executive recruiting services in the DACH region.

Direct peers

• Egon Zehnder: Swiss-headquartered global executive search firm specializing in C-level and board-level recruiting. Comparable to 3C as a premium executive search practice serving senior leadership mandates, with European heritage and global reach.
• Pedersen & Partners: International executive search firm founded in Europe with multiple DACH offices. Comparable to 3C as a boutique-to-mid-sized executive search competitor focused on senior leadership placements.
• Odgers Berndtson: International executive search firm with strong European and DACH presence. Comparable to 3C as a peer in mid-to-premium executive search for C-level and board appointments, with similar boutique-style senior-led methodology.
• Signium International: Global executive search partnership with roots in Germany and strong DACH operations. Comparable to 3C on senior executive search mandates, especially within European DACH markets.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@3CCareerConsultingCompany
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/3c---career-consulting-company
• Xx.com/3C_GmbH
• Facebookfacebook.com/3C.Personalberatung

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about 3C - Career Consulting Company