Retained vs. Contingency Search: Which Is Right for C-Level Hiring?
When hiring C-suite executives, the recruitment approach you choose can directly impact the quality of candidates, the efficiency of your hiring process, and ultimately, the future of your organization. Two commonly used methods in executive recruitment are retained search and contingency search. While both are widely accepted in the talent acquisition industry, they serve different purposes, follow different structures, and produce different outcomes. In this article, we’ll explore what retained and contingency search models are, their key differences, pros and cons, cost structures, and most importantly—which is better suited for C-level executive hiring. What Is a Retained Search? Retained search is a dedicated, long-term recruitment partnership in which a company engages an executive search firm exclusively to fill a senior-level or highly specialized position. The client pays a portion of the fee upfront to initiate the search, and the remainder is paid in phases as the recr...