Dispelling the Myths Around Retained Search Methods

What is ‘Retained’ Search?

Retained search, in essence, involves a collaborative and dedicated partnership between a company and a search firm, ensuring a tailored and exhaustive approach to identifying, attracting, and securing top talent for niche roles, particularly within complex industries such as cybersecurity.

Companies contemplating engaging with a search firm for retained search services do so with a clear objective: to access a refined and specialized recruitment process that goes beyond the transactional nature of contingent searches.

The key benefits lie in the establishment of a dedicated search team, the application of robust methodologies tailored to niche requirements, the seamless onboarding of chosen candidates, the precision of briefing, and the enhanced communication strategies that collectively contribute to the successful acquisition of cybersecurity professionals.

But as Michelle Edmondson (Managing Partner at Edmondson Group ), has detailed in her recent LinkedIn posts and talks, this oftentimes superior method of recruitment comes with its own set of misconceptions.

Here, she dispels the most common of these 'myths'...

Involving more recruitment agencies guarantees better visibility

Perhaps - but that might not be to your advantage...What does having multiple agencies working on your role say about the job itself and about your company brand and reputation? Imagine driving past a house for sale, and outside of that house is one estate agent's sign, neatly and clearly positioned for all to see. Now imagine that same house with multiple 'For Sale' signs cluttering the front yard. What would you think? Same house, different impression. Moreover, by employing traditional recruitment methods, who is this actually visible to? Working in the same way using the same methods could result in everyone fishing from the same talent pool - resulting in the potential for lack of diversity.

Contingent Searches Ensure Higher Candidate Interest

Exclusive partnerships in retained search often attract candidates who appreciate the personalized attention and commitment. This can lead to a more engaged and motivated candidate pool, surpassing the perceived broader interest in contingent searches.And again, 'higher candidate interest' may indeed be a side effect of staid recruitment methods, but as all HRDs and TA specialists will know, interest does not mean expertise or even suitability.

Contingent Searches Provide a Wider Candidate Pool.

Retained search, by its very nature, attracts a more targeted and specialized candidate pool. The dedicated team invests time in the initial briefing process, understanding the client's needs, resulting in a higher quality selection.With time constraints, and with the nuances of often niche roles in mind, it is important that your chosen search experts have extensive and well-curated networks, providing access to both active and passive candidates. This access to passive candidates can be the key to identifying leaders with the skills, experience, and cultural fit needed to propel your organization to new heights.

Retained Search is Costlier than Contingent Searches.

Edmondson Group’s search fees are no different than contingent fees. And while the initial investment in retained search may be a different way of working to some of our new clients, the dedicated nature of the service often leads to faster placements and ultimately, a more cost-effective solution. Not to mention the reduced risk of a costly bad hire through ineffective or speedy recruitment processes...

Contingent Searches are Faster Due to Increased Competition.

The dedicated focus and exclusive partnership in retained search often results in quicker and more efficient candidate placements, as the retained firm is committed to the client's needs.Jobs allocated to contingent recruiters will be triaged. And more often than not, niche or hard-to-fill roles will fall to the bottom of the ‘no win, no fee’ recruiter’s priorities.With retained search, communication between search firm and client is frequent, transparent and data-driven. With Edmondson Group - Cyber Security Talent Access you do not work with multiple recruiters at any one time, you work with the Managing Partner.

So when is retained search the superior method when hiring for mission critical roles?

We're always happy to discuss this!

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