Transparency into outside recruiting services

Recruiting is hard work. Companies often exhaust internal efforts before turning to outside recruiters, but what do these pros actually do?

Here’s a quick breakdown.

Contingency Search

• Non-exclusive, no upfront cost—pay only if you hire a candidate.
• Best for lower-level roles needing speed and lots of resumes.
• Fees: Percentage of first-year salary, paid post-hire, sometimes with guarantees.
• Takeaway: Use for fast, high-volume hiring with minimal commitment.

Retained Search

• Exclusive, with an upfront retainer—both sides invest effort.
• Ideal for senior or executive roles requiring top talent or confidentiality.
• Fees: Percentage of total first-year compensation, retainer credited at hire, always guaranteed.
• Takeaway: Choose for high-caliber, discreet searches.

A great recruiter leverages a vast orthopedic network, elite contacts, referrals, and premium tools like LinkedIn. Now you know the difference—pick the right approach for your needs!