How do I headhunt someone in Ireland?

Headhunting in Ireland — what your options actually are

When employers search for 'headhunt Ireland', they usually mean one of two things: they want someone to proactively approach candidates on their behalf, or they have a role that is not attracting enough applicants through advertising alone. Both are solvable, but the route matters.

What headhunting actually involves

Headhunting — sometimes called executive search or direct sourcing — means identifying people who are currently employed and not looking, then approaching them about your role. It is slower and more labour-intensive than advertising, but it reaches a candidate pool that a job advert never will.

For most professional and management roles in Ireland, a blended approach works best: advertise to capture active candidates while simultaneously sourcing passive ones. Pure headhunting with no advertising is usually reserved for senior or niche roles where the relevant candidate pool is small and well-defined.

The three main routes — and where each one wins

1. Contingency agency A contingency recruiter only charges if they place someone. The market rate in Ireland is typically 15–25% of first-year salary — so a €50,000 role could cost €7,500–€12,500. There is no upfront cost and no commitment, which suits employers who want to test the market. The trade-off is that the recruiter is working multiple clients simultaneously, so your role may not be prioritised. If no one is placed, you pay nothing but you may also have waited months for that outcome.

2. Retained / managed search A retained search means you pay a fixed fee and the recruiter is solely accountable for finding your hire. Talent Finder's managed-search fees are fixed by salary band:

All fees above are for Irish business customers on reverse-charge. If the role is not filled, you receive a full refund — no conditions.

Across the 8 roles we have filled and publish data for, the median time to hire was 53 days (middle half: 22–69 days). We sourced and screened 322 candidates in total, presented 51 to clients, and 9 were hired across those roles — a median of 30 candidates worked per role. You can read more detail on our success stories page.

3. Job advertising only If the role is not highly specialist, advertising may be all you need — and it costs considerably less. Our advertising packages start at €499 (Premium) or €599 (Premium Plus). See the advertising options for what is included on each. Advertising works well when active candidates exist in the market; it is a weaker tool when you need to approach people who are not looking.

When to headhunt and when not to

Headhunting is worth the investment when:

• The role requires a specific credential or track record that very few people hold
• Previous advertising produced few or no suitable applicants
• The hire is business-critical and delay has a measurable cost
• You need candidates from a specific industry, sector, or competitor group

Advertising alone is likely sufficient when:

• The title is common and the skills are widely held
• You have the time to run a normal application process
• Budget is the primary constraint

We will tell you honestly which route fits your situation before you commit to anything. See how it works for the full process.

A word on what we do not know

Fill rates and time-to-hire for headhunting in Ireland vary considerably by sector and role level. We publish only our own verified data above. Any figure a recruiter quotes you beyond your own specific role is an estimate, not a promise.

Talk to us

Call (01) 575 5347 to discuss whether a managed search, advertising, or a blended approach suits your role. We will not push you toward the more expensive option if the cheaper one does the job.

Frequently asked questions