Hiring · HR glossary

Retained Search

Retained search is an arrangement in which a recruitment firm is paid an agreed retainer to conduct a search, often in stages. It is commonly used for senior or specialised appointments.

By SmallHRTools · How we write definitions

Example

An employer pays a search firm at agreed milestones for research, candidate identification and assessment during a leadership recruitment assignment.

What to keep in mind

Read the contract rather than assuming every retainer guarantees a hire. Clarify exclusivity, deliverables, replacement provisions and what happens if the role or search is cancelled.

Further reading

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