| Minnesota Roots | National Reach | Boutique Search
| Minnesota Roots | National Reach | Boutique Search
Trust-first recruiting for trusted hires that hold.
TrustedHire partners with Minnesota-based and national small to mid-sized organizations across all industries to make high-conviction hires through market awareness, cultural alignment, and a more thoughtful candidate experience. Because the goal isn’t volume—it’s finding the one person who truly fits and sticks.
20 Years of Recruiting Experience | Culture Before Credentials | High-Touch Candidate Experience | Consultative Search Partner |
20 Years of Recruiting Experience | Culture Before Credentials | High-Touch Candidate Experience | Consultative Search Partner |
Positioning
Less Hassle. Better Hires. Built to Last.
Helping local and national SMBs across all industries hire Accounting & Finance, HR, and Operations talent through a more thoughtful, trust-driven approach—so you get the right fit, not just more resumes.
After 15+ years in the recruiting industry, Nick Burns saw firsthand what wasn’t working—transactional searches, rushed hires, and missed fits. In January 2026, he launched TrustedHire to change that—bringing a more trusted, thoughtful approach to hiring managers looking to build better teams and job seekers ready to land the right opportunity, not just the next one.
TrustedHire - Boutique Search, Done Right
Accounting & Finance
We help organizations build accounting & finance teams that bring clarity, discipline, and forward-looking insight to the business.
Roles range from Staff Accountant and Financial Analyst to Controller, VP of Finance, and CFO.
Human Resources
We partner with companies to hire HR leaders and professionals who shape culture, drive performance, and support long-term growth.
Roles range from HR Generalist and Talent Acquisition to HR Business Partner, Director of HR, and CHRO.
Operations
We recruit operational leaders who turn strategy into execution, optimize processes, and drive measurable results.
Roles range from Operations Analyst and Project Manager to Plant Manager, Director of Operations, and COO.
Cutting through the noise to find the right fit.
Approach
We combine real market insight, thoughtful search, and a high-touch candidate experience to deliver hires that actually fit—and stay.
1. Discovery
Align the role before the search starts.
TrustedHire helps define what success looks like in the role, what the market realistically offers, and where culture fit matters most. That upfront calibration creates a cleaner search and stronger decision-making later.
2. Targeting
Map the market & reach beyond active applicants
Rather than waiting for inbound volume, the process centers on sourcing the right people, including passive candidates who may never touch a job board. We use a robust tech stack to identify and contact top talent.
3. Evaluation
Present candidates with context, not just resumes.
Every candidate comes with a real perspective on how they communicate, what drives them, how they make decisions, and why they truly fit the role—not just on paper.
4. Close
Stay involved through offer, onboarding, and follow-up
TrustedHire is not positioned as a handoff partner. It stays close through final interviews, offer calibration, and post-placement follow-up, so the placement has a stronger chance to hold.
Expertise
A more intentional approach to hiring.
Whether it’s a critical leadership hire, a key contributor, or ongoing talent support, each approach is built to meet you where you are and scale with your business. Whether it’s a critical leadership hire, a key contributor, or ongoing talent support, each approach is built to meet you where you are and scale with your business.
Leadership Search
Executive and senior-level recruiting where culture fit, leadership style, and retention risk carry as much weight as pure functional experience.
Professional Search
Targeted recruiting support for critical hires where the right match needs more context, more nuance, and more proactive market engagement.
Ongoing Partnership
A relationship model for organizations that want recurring hiring support, market perspective, and a trusted recruiting partner rather than one-off transactions.
Search Options
Three Ways to Partner. One Standard of Excellence.
Each search model is designed to align with your level of urgency, complexity, and commitment—without compromising on quality. Whether retained, engaged, or contingent, the focus remains the same: delivering the right hire with clarity, precision, and long-term impact.
Executive Search with Full Commitment and Market Precision
A fully retained search is built on exclusivity, alignment, and shared accountability—ideal for leadership and high-impact hires where getting it right matters most. With a structured investment (1/3 at launch, 1/3 at interview stage, final upon start), clients gain a deeply committed partner, proactive market mapping, and a process designed to deliver high-conviction, long-term hires.
Retained Search
Flexible, High-Quality Recruiting for Critical Hires
Engaged search offers an exclusive partnership with a lower upfront commitment (10% to start), while maintaining a focused, consultative approach throughout the process. This model works best for key individual contributors or mid-level roles where speed, alignment, and quality still matter—but with added flexibility.
Engaged Search
Performance-Based Recruiting with Trusted Execution
Contingent search provides a results-driven approach where fees are paid upon successful placement, making it a practical option for select roles. While ideally structured as an exclusive partnership, this model allows clients to engage TrustedHire with confidence, knowing the focus remains on delivering the right fit—not just filling a seat.
Contingent Search
Testimonials
“Nick was responsive and thoughtful throughout the process. Provided candid and direct feedback to ensure we made the right hire. Candidates identified were strong and he did a great job uncovering candidates who were not explicitly in the market. I recommend Nick and TrustedHire to find you a slate of candidates to meet your needs!”
— Managing Partner, Minneapolis-based Private Equity Firm“Nick is a trusted resource with a commitment to helping customers and candidates be successful. As we worked together to find our next Director of Sales, his approach was thorough, and his communication was exceptional. He continues to be an active listener and empathetic to what matters most to our business. We’re looking forward to working with Nick and TrustedHire as our team grows.”
— President, Minneapolis-based Construction Company“After months of attempting to fill a key financial position with no results, I partnered with Nick Burns as a recruiting professional, and I was not disappointed. He tailored his suggestions and his outreach plan to find a candidate that not only brought the outstanding skills we desired, but who was an excellent cultural fit for our organization. Nick updated me continually throughout the hiring process and after a successful hire, he continued to check in to ensure everything was on point. I later used Nick’s services for another hire and was once again pleased with the outcome. I’m grateful to know that, when the need arises, Nick and the TrustedHire team will be ready to deliver. “
— President & CEO, Minneapolis-based Publishing Company