A retained recruiter is a professional recruiter who is hired by a company to fill a specific position based on a fixed commitment and a pre-payment for the recruiter's services. The company pays the recruiter the retainer fee upfront, and the recruiter is then responsible for finding, screening, and presenting qualified candidates to the company.

The advantages of using a retained recruiter are that the company can be assured that the recruiter is fully committed to finding the best possible candidate for the position, and the company can be more selective in its hiring process. The disadvantages of using a retained recruiter are that it can be more expensive than other hiring methods, and there is no guarantee that the recruiter will find a qualified candidate.

When should a company use a retained recruiter?

There are a few situations when it makes sense for a company to use a retained recruiter. First, if the company is looking to fill a high-level or difficult-to-fill position, it makes sense to use a recruiter who is focused solely on finding the best possible candidate.

Second, if the company is looking for a large number of candidates for a position, it can be more efficient to use a retained recruiter who can screen and present a smaller pool of qualified candidates. Finally, if the company wants to be more selective in its hiring process, a retained recruiter can help by screening and presenting only the most qualified candidates.

What are the steps in the retained recruiting process?

The retained recruiting process typically has four steps:

1. Engagement: The company and the recruiter agree to work together to fill a specific position. The company pays the recruiter a retainer fee, and the recruiter begins the search for qualified candidates.
2. Search: The recruiter uses a variety of methods to find qualified candidates, including networking, advertising, and search firms.
3. Screening: The recruiter screens candidates to ensure they meet the company’s requirements.
4. Presentation: The recruiter presents a small pool of qualified candidates to the company. The company then chooses the candidate they would like to hire.

What are the benefits of using a retained recruiter?

There are several benefits of using a retained recruiter, including:

1. The recruiter is fully committed to finding the best possible candidate for the position.
2. The company can be more selective in its hiring process.
3. The company can be assured that the recruiter has a vested interest in finding a qualified candidate.
4. The process is typically more efficient than other hiring methods.

What are the disadvantages of using a retained recruiter?

There are a few disadvantages of using a retained recruiter, including:

1. It can be more expensive than other hiring methods.
2. There is no guarantee that the recruiter will find a qualified candidate.
3. The process can take longer than other hiring methods.
4. The company is relying on the recruiter to find qualified candidates.