Whenever an organization decides to enlist outside help to find candidates, it has to make several decisions. One of the most important of these is figuring out exactly what sort of firm is best-suited to partner with in this endeavor: contingency or retained. While the distinction may sound minor, the latter actually comes with a number of key advantages that could make all the difference in finding the ideal hire.
While contingency firms often represent employees as well as companies, dividing their interest, retained firms are solely interested in finding organizations highly-qualified candidates. The advantage for both parties is clear. Retained firms are not in competition with other agencies for the same roles, and the businesses offering those roles are not competing for the best talent. There exists a shared sense of trust in this scenario, founded in the knowledge that both sides share the same goal.
This leads to a greater commitment on the part of the firm. Retained firms have a personal investment in particular assignments, and their success is reliant on helping the company hire effectively. Thus, these sorts of agencies must take the time to learn the company well, and get to know exactly what it needs out of a particular job. It is impossible to find the perfect hire without a firm grasp on a company's culture and long-term vision. On the flip side, contingent firms are often working concurrently on a number of different projects, ensuring that their attention is diluted and their focus is compromised.
As one of the top retained search firms, YES Partners is proud to offer these advantages.
