Contingency Search Firm Versus Retained Search Firm? - WalkWater Talent Advisors Selecting the right search firm is important if you want to get the right candidates working in your organization. There are two main different types of search firm models – contingency search firm and retained search firm, each significantly differing from the other. To be able to choose the right search firm you need to understand each type, and also the search firm type that your business needs.
What is a contingency search firm? Contingency search firms are those that are paid only when they find a fitting candidate and have him placed in the organization. These firms primarily focus on individual contributor and mid-level roles. Now, when a contingency search firm is hired, it is likely that many firms are hired at a single time, working on the same search, with the best recruiter winning away. Thus, contingency is a business of volume and speed. As a result, contingency firms are