How do retained search and contingency recruitment differ?
An executive search firm conducts an active retained search for the best available candidates on the market. Candidates found that way are tested for their suitability and a preliminary short list is drawn up. The best three or four are presented to the client. The client gets the best candidates currently available on the market.Contingency recruitment works differently. A contingency recruiter starts by building up a pool of candidates and then within the pool seeks for suitable ones whom he can introduce to a firm with specific needs. The client gets the best available candidates in the recruiter’s pool.