Types of recruitment help
- Contingency recruiters: you pay only when a candidate they introduced is hired.
- Retained or executive search: you pay in stages for a dedicated search, often for senior roles.
- Staffing and temp agencies: provide contract or temporary workers.
- RPO: a provider runs some or all of your recruitment as an ongoing service.
Hiring in another country
Before you hire abroad, decide how you’ll legally engage the person: through your own local entity, an employer of record, or as an independent contractor where that genuinely fits. Pay, notice periods, benefits and right-to-work checks all follow local rules. Your recruiter should know the local market.
Questions to ask a recruiter
- Do you specialise in this type of role and location?
- What are your fee terms, and is there a rebate or replacement if the hire leaves early?
- How do you assess candidates, and how do you support diverse shortlists?
- Are you a member of a trade body, such as the REC in the UK or the American Staffing Association in the US?
What affects the cost
Fees are usually a percentage of first-year salary for permanent hires, a margin on top of pay for contract staff, or a monthly fee for RPO. Seniority, scarcity of skills and exclusivity all affect the rate. Get the terms of business in writing before you see CVs.
Last updated: 16 October 2026
