Summary of Restructuring Liability by Segment (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 31, 2013	Oct. 31, 2012	Apr. 30, 2012
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring Reserve	$ 14,606	$ 16,501	$ 2,770
North America
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring Reserve	4,644		43
EMEA
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring Reserve	3,316		1,818
Asia Pacific
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring Reserve	99
Total Executive Recruitment
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring Reserve	8,059		1,861
Leadership & Talent Consulting
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring Reserve	4,225
Futurestep
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring Reserve	1,671		909
Corporate
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring Reserve	651
Severance
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring Reserve	8,604	9,238	38
Severance | North America
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring Reserve	1,518
Severance | EMEA
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring Reserve	1,750		38
Severance | Asia Pacific
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring Reserve	8
Severance | Total Executive Recruitment
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring Reserve	3,276		38
Severance | Leadership & Talent Consulting
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring Reserve	4,225
Severance | Futurestep
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring Reserve	452
Severance | Corporate
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring Reserve	651
Facilities
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring Reserve	6,002	7,263	2,732
Facilities | North America
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring Reserve	3,126		43
Facilities | EMEA
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring Reserve	1,566		1,780
Facilities | Asia Pacific
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring Reserve	91
Facilities | Total Executive Recruitment
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring Reserve	4,783		1,823
Facilities | Futurestep
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring Reserve	$ 1,219		$ 909