How Much Does Retained Search Recruiting Cost

By Ken Zwerdling on Apr 04, 2016

Cost of Retained Search Recruiting

Pricing models in the retained search recruiting industry vary greatly as they are dependent on many different criteria. Clients need to be able to calculate costs on upcoming projects and to do so on their own time. I have decided to make our company’s pricing structure completely transparent to customers. Our clients will now be able to calculate fees regardless of the number of positions, locations, deposit requirements, milestone payments, success fees and high volume recruiting in the pre-bid/pre-proposal stages of an engagement.

Most Retained Search Industry firms cost between 20% – 30% of a candidate’s first year’s salary. - Click To Tweet

Because of its global infrastructure, low overhead and economies of scale, Foreign Staffing charges between 15% - 20% of a candidate’s first year’s salary.  Sometimes this rate is even lower for high volume requirements. We understand that transparency helps customers accurately plan and budget for upcoming hiring needs.

The Cost For Retained Search Recruiting varies depending on many factors, including:

1. Number of positions needed;
2. Number of locations hiring;
3. Number of candidates needed, per position, per location;
4. Candidate salaries;
5. Organization of positions (examples: 1 position filled in 10 different countries; 50 positions all in the same location)