You’ve got a position that you need to fill but you don’t have the time to dedicate yourself to finding the “right” person. This is when working with a specialist recruiter can help ease your stress.

For most recruitment companies, there are two primary options. A retained service or a contingency service. While both have their merits, the contingency service is most commonly used.

You may be using this service because you think that this is the easiest and most fruitful option for your vacancy or are simply unaware of all the company’s services or the advantages of using them. While in theory, this may seem like the best route when looking for high quality candidates, it is simply not true in all cases.

For example, you may have reached out to 5 different recruiters that you have used previously and given them the same brief in the hopes that they will land you that golden candidate that ticks all the boxes but in fact, what happens is you are potentially setting yourself up for a CV flinging contest to see who can get a CV to you first.

Using multiple recruiters instigates a race to email a high volume of candidates without them being properly qualified. This results in quantity over quality with time spent by the client sifting through too many potential candidates when this should be the recruiter's job.

By now I’m sure that you’re asking yourselves, how can I potentially save myself the pain of going through all of this when the candidate NEEDS to be the right person and you do not have the luxury of waiting weeks if not months for that person to appear in your inbox. This blog will focus on the advantages of using a retained service and why this might be the best route when searching for more senior positions.

Dedicated Attention and Commitment:

One of the key advantages of a retained service is the level of dedicated attention and commitment you receive from the recruiter. With a retained service, you enter into an exclusive agreement, ensuring they prioritise your hiring needs over other current vacancies.

You may receive a dedicated consultant who works with you, investing their time and effort into understanding your company culture, values, and specific requirements to ensure that a more thorough and personalised search process is undertaken.

Access to Top Talent:

Retained services often attract the most experienced and skilled recruiters in the industry. These recruiters have a deep network of connections and resources, enabling them to tap into a pool of top-tier candidates.

By leveraging their expertise and extensive networks, retained recruiters can headhunt specific high calibre talent that the client couldn't approach directly due to business politics or association, for example.
This access to a precise talent pool increases the likelihood of finding the perfect fit for your organisation.

Comprehensive Search Process:

Retained services typically involve a comprehensive search process beyond simply matching resumes to job descriptions. The retained recruiter invests time in conducting in-depth interviews, and assessing candidates' skills, cultural fit, and long-term potential. This thorough evaluation ensures that only the most qualified candidates are presented to you, saving you time and effort in the hiring process.

Partnership and Long-Term Relationship:

Retained services foster a stronger partnership between the recruiter and the hiring organisation. The retained recruiter becomes an extension of your team, gaining a deep understanding of your business goals and long-term hiring needs.

This partnership approach allows for ongoing collaboration, enabling the recruiter to provide strategic advice, market insights, and talent acquisition guidance beyond immediate hiring requirements.
The long-term relationship built through a retained service can be invaluable for future talent needs and succession planning.

While both retained and contingency services have their place in the recruitment landscape, the advantages of using a retained service when working with a recruiter are clear especially for those more senior roles.

The dedicated attention, access to top talent, comprehensive search process and long-term partnership make retained services a compelling choice for organizations seeking to make strategic and successful hires.

By investing in a retained service, you position your organisation for long-term growth and success by securing the best talent available in the market. Contact the team at Metis today to discuss your recruitment needs on 01522 424145 or click here.