When should I opt for a retained search?
You should opt for a retained search any time the position that you're hiring for requires a scarce skill set or is highly strategic in nature. Some examples include:
- Executives
- IT Managers
- Sr. Developers
- Software Architects
The reason that a retained search makes sense for these types of individuals is because they will most likely need to be poached out of another organization. Doing so involves a considerable amount of talent market research and referral networking. This is not feasible with a standard contingency arrangement.


