Engaged search · contingent · staffing·17 years of placement expertise·Backed by ProHireHQ AI
Engaged Headhunters/Solutions/Contingent Search
Solutions · Pillar

Contingent Search.

No upfront commitment. Runs in parallel with your other channels. The fee is owed only when a candidate is placed.

Engagement
Fee on placement only
Best for
Active pool · run in parallel
Recruiter
Senior, niche specialist
Guarantee
Scoped per engagement
Definition

What is contingent search?

Contingent search is a recruiting model in which the firm is paid only when a candidate is successfully placed. No deposit is required. The firm sources, submits, and supports the hiring process; the fee is owed only on a closed offer.

Contingent works best when the candidate pool is mostly active, when speed and reach matter more than dedicated focus, and when the engagement is run in parallel with internal recruiting or other channels.

When the candidate pool is mostly passive (the people you want are not actively looking), engaged search is usually a better fit. The deposit funds the advertising and specialist time required to surface those candidates.

Compare

Contingent vs. Engaged.

Same firm, two engagement models. Pick by candidate-pool passivity and how much dedicated specialist time the search warrants.

Contingent Search

  • No upfront cost
  • Active + light passive outreach
  • Fee owed only on placement
  • Run in parallel with other channels
  • Best when speed and reach matter most

Engaged Search

  • Deposit upfront, funds advertising
  • Dedicated specialist, end-to-end
  • Passive-talent advertising included
  • Scales to multi-role engagements
  • Replacement guarantee, scoped per engagement
FAQ

Contingent search,
specifically.

The questions hiring managers ask in the first call.

What is contingent search?
Contingent search is a recruiting model where the firm only collects a fee when a candidate is successfully placed. There is no upfront engagement fee. The firm sources candidates, submits them, and is paid only on a successful hire.
How is contingent different from engaged search?
Engaged search includes a deposit up front to fund passive-talent advertising and dedicated specialist time. Contingent has no upfront commitment and runs in parallel with other channels. Engaged is selected when the candidate pool is mostly passive and dedicated focus matters; contingent is selected when speed and reach matter more.
What kinds of roles is contingent search appropriate for?
Contingent works well for roles where the candidate pool is mostly active (people who would consider a move if approached), where there is reasonable depth, and where running in parallel with internal recruiting and other firms doesn't change the outcome.
Do you compete with our internal recruiting team?
We don't compete; we supplement. The arrangement most clients use is internal-first; if a role isn't filled inside an agreed window, contingent kicks in. Talk to us about how to structure that with your team.
Is there a replacement guarantee on contingent placements?
Yes. Replacement guarantees are scoped per engagement; the window is agreed in writing at the start of the search.
What is the typical fee for contingent search?
Fees are quoted per engagement based on the role, comp band, and difficulty of the search. We discuss the fee transparently in the first scoping call.
●Start a contingent search

Tell us the role, the urgency, the pool.

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