Retained Search

Service Description

Retained search is a recruitment model where a company pays a recruiter or search firm an upfront fee to exclusively find and hire for a specific role — usually senior, executive, or highly specialized positions. It’s a more consultative, in-depth process, often involving market research, candidate profiling, and a shortlist of carefully vetted individuals. Because the recruiter is retained, they commit dedicated time and resources to finding the best possible fit, not just a quick placement. 💰 Typical Fee Structure for Retained Search: Standard Fee: Usually 20% to 30% of the candidate's first-year total compensation (salary + expected bonus). C-Level or Executive Roles: Can go up to 40% or more, especially with high-profile or international executive searches. 🧾 How the Payment Is Structured: Retained search is usually paid in stages, such as: 1/3 up front (to initiate the search) 1/3 at shortlist presentation (or after a set number of weeks) 1/3 upon successful hire/acceptance