As a retained executive search firm we work with client organizations to fill senior level executive jobs (CEO, CFO, CIO, VP, and Managing Director) or specialized professional positions. We work with clients on an exclusive basis and play a consultative role, working with clients to define executive positions, qualifications and potential sources of talent. As a consultant (also known as headhunter or executive recruiter) we will also offer insights regarding the requirements to attract certain types of executives or top specialists.
Retained Search means that you must pay something up front to have the Headhunter start to search – if you are not willing to do so you should maybe reconsider.
“If you pay peanuts, you get monkeys”.
If a recruiting company is willing to work for you on a contingency (no upfront payment) basis you are not dealing with a top player in the Scandinavian market. It is your free choice; just know who you are dealing with. If you are not sure the recruiter will be successful in the search, and therefore you don’t want to pay up front, look further until you find someone that you believe will deliver (check references). Otherwise you may end up wasting both your own time and having to deal with a vacancy for a longer period – that is expensive – a well considered upfront payment is not (that is just a cash flow issue).