When you’re filling a role that’s business-critical, specialist, or sensitive, the way you recruit matters just as much as who you hire. A deposit-led (or retained) search model changes the dynamic. It’s not about locking you into a rigid process – it’s about focus, priority, and partnership. By committing upfront, you secure dedicated recruiter time, a deeper search, and insight that keeps the process moving in the right direction.
Why a deposit changes the search
In a contingency model, recruiters often juggle multiple roles at once – and the one with the most urgency or commitment naturally gets priority. A deposit-led approach signals that you’re serious, which means your search rises to the top of the list.
Expert insight from the front line
In this video, Jenny Martin, Director at Headstar, explains why this approach works – not just for senior hires, but for mid-level recruitment too. She shares how it improves candidate experience, reduces wasted effort, and keeps everyone aligned from start to finish. It’s a simple change in process that can make the difference between a slow, frustrating search and a role filled with the right person.
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