What is Engaged Search?
An Engaged Search, is a modified retained search with an up front fee (retainer) that is paid to begin the candidate search process and the remaining fee balance due when the candidate is hired. This is the performance driver that ensures dedication, focus and an accountability to produce results. An Engaged Search is more favorable and cost effective in contrast to a traditional retained search model that typically requires 1/3 retainer fee to start the search, 1/3 paid 30 days and the final 1/3 paid thirty days later or upon candidate placement.
Why Engaged Search?
When you need to hire critical talent, instead of settling for a contingent search firm there are a few crucial factors to consider:
- Are they a committed partner that's dedicated to focusing on filling your search?
- Is there any accountability to produce?
- Are they performance based?
After you’ve given this some careful consideration, an Engaged Search is your best choice to fill your open position because it's a performance based candidate search and creates a mutual commitment between your company and recruiter to fill your open position. These are both critical factors in the success of any candidate search, which will increase the recruiter’s accountability and incentive to source candidates that match your desired skills and culture criteria. Also, in an engaged search you’re partnering with a connected, niche industry recruiter that’s 100% dedicated and focused on identifying top passive talent for your position and will only present candidates that are on target, so you and your stakeholders won’t waste valuable time reviewing unqualified resumes.
In contrast, a contingency search firm typically is not fully dedicated to your search and they're not accountable to produce results because there isn't a mutual commitment to fill the open position and investment between the recruiter and your company. As a result, most contingent recruiters will shop resumes that haven’t been thoroughly screened to their clients and they'll usually submit the same candidate to as many companies as possible hoping something sticks. This is a conflict of interest for your hiring objective and delays your goal to hire the best candidate as soon as possible.
The bottom line: When you need to hire critical talent, don’t settle for a contingent search because there’s a lot at stake; your company’s direction, your reputation and profitability. This means the job of filling the position should be done right. Recruiting top talent for a key position shouldn’t be taken lightly and you can’t expect a positive outcome without a utilizing a performance-based engaged recruiting approach that creates a mutual relationship and accountability to fill your open position.
Are you having a difficult time recruiting key talent? Big Picture Consulting will find the right talent for your critical open positions. Please don't hesitate to inquire about engaged search services.