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Understanding the Types of Payment Structures of Executive Search Services

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De Vore Recruiting
Understanding the Types of Payment Structures of Executive Search Services

When choosing a firm to fill a leadership position, consider two types of executive search firms: retained and contingency firms.


Retained Executive Search Firms:

Retained executive search work on contracts and charge clients a fee upfront for their exclusive services. This fee guarantees a strong effort to find the best candidate, with payments usually spread out during the search. Known for their thoroughness and comprehensive candidate assessments, retained firms prioritize quality and long-term fit for executive roles.

  • Dedicated Commitment: The upfront fee ensures a dedicated commitment to finding the ideal candidate, as the firm’s revenue is not dependent solely on successful placements.
  • Thoroughness: Known for conducting comprehensive candidate assessments, leading to higher-quality hires and long-term fit for executive roles.
  • Exclusivity: Clients receive exclusive access to the firm’s services, with a focus on personalized attention and tailored solutions.


Contingency Executive Search Firms:

Contingency search firms focus on filling mid to lower-level positions with lower pay than executive roles. This reflects their payment structure, as they receive compensation based on the new employee’s first-year earnings. Typically, these jobs have lower first-year earnings. Contingency firms mainly concentrate on mid to lower-level positions. They do this to handle multiple searches simultaneously. By doing so, they increase their chances of successful placements and ultimately make more money. Additionally, these firms may specialize in specific industries or niche markets, leveraging their expertise to source candidates efficiently for roles at various organizational levels.


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