Summary of Restructuring Liability by Segment (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Apr. 30, 2014	Apr. 30, 2013	Apr. 30, 2012
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring Reserve	$ 2,813	$ 11,548	$ 2,770
Executive Recruitment
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring Reserve	572	3,180
Executive Recruitment | North America
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring Reserve	193	1,577
Executive Recruitment | EMEA
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring Reserve	379	1,534
Executive Recruitment | Asia Pacific
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring Reserve		69
LTC
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring Reserve	1,587	6,453
Futurestep
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring Reserve	654	1,466
Corporate
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring Reserve		449
Severance
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring Reserve		4,819	38
Severance | Executive Recruitment
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring Reserve		1,596
Severance | Executive Recruitment | North America
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring Reserve		918
Severance | Executive Recruitment | EMEA
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring Reserve		678
Severance | LTC
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring Reserve		2,497
Severance | Futurestep
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring Reserve		277
Severance | Corporate
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring Reserve		449
Facilities
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring Reserve	2,813	6,729	2,732
Facilities | Executive Recruitment
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring Reserve	572	1,584
Facilities | Executive Recruitment | North America
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring Reserve	193	659
Facilities | Executive Recruitment | EMEA
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring Reserve	379	856
Facilities | Executive Recruitment | Asia Pacific
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring Reserve		69
Facilities | LTC
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring Reserve	1,587	3,956
Facilities | Futurestep
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring Reserve	$ 654	$ 1,189