I had a conversation with a prospective client recently, and she explained that they had already worked with three contingency recruitment agencies, all of which performed very poorly. Even after engaging three different recruitment agencies, they still did not have a satisfactory shortlist.

For those who are unfamiliar, contingency recruitment essentially means “no cure, no pay.” In this arrangement, recruiters work on assignments without receiving payment upfront, only getting paid when a successful placement is made. Considering the competitive nature of the industry, recruiters might prioritize clients who offer higher fees or upfront payments, potentially giving exclusivity. Consequently, you may not receive the same level of priority as other clients, but rather, recruiters would view working with you as a bonus.

As a result, these recruiters might send you CVs that were already in their database or came through general advertisements, hoping that something will work out. On your end, this means receiving late shortlists, missed deadlines, and poor quality in the shortlisted candidates. After waiting for three months for CVs from these contingency recruiters, it is understandable that you would feel frustrated.

In the future, it might be worth considering working exclusively with a recruiter whom you trust and believe will deliver results. By granting them exclusivity, they will have a better chance of making a successful placement. They won’t feel rushed to send you mediocre CVs, as they won’t have to compete with other head-hunters who may present the same candidates. Instead, they will dedicate time and effort to thoroughly research the market and present you with a carefully selected shortlist.

While the idea of working exclusively with one recruiter may seem restrictive, it guarantees a higher quality shortlist. If you would like to learn more about the benefits of working exclusively with your executive search firm, please feel free to email me at Inez@jobnetafrica.com. I would be happy to provide further information on this topic.