Is pay-as-you-go recruitment available in Ireland?

Pay-as-you-go recruitment in Ireland: what are the options?

For most Irish employers, "pay-as-you-go" means paying a known amount upfront — or per advert — rather than handing over 15–25% of first-year salary to a contingency agency when a hire is made. There are three main routes, each with a different cost structure and level of involvement from you.

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Option 1: Advertise it yourself

You write the advert, post it to job boards and LinkedIn, and manage every application yourself. Job boards take payment per advert or on a daily budget. There is no agency fee if you hire. The honest drawback is time: screening applications, chasing candidates and co-ordinating interviews can take more hours than most hiring managers expect — especially if the role is specialist or the market is quiet.

If you want help writing an advert that actually works, our guide on job ad writing covers the practical points. For a comparison of where to post, see where to post job ads in Ireland.

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Option 2: Buy a job advertising package

If you want wider reach without the admin of negotiating multiple job boards separately, an advertising package puts your role in front of a broader audience for a single upfront fee.

You still manage the applications yourself. This suits employers who are confident in their screening process and simply want more visibility.

See our advertising options for what is included in each package.

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Option 3: Premium Hire — managed search at a fixed fee

Premium Hire is a fully managed service. One fixed fee is agreed upfront by salary band — no percentage of salary, no invoice that changes size depending on who you hire.

The process starts with a five-point review of the role — looking at market standing, salary and package, competitor analysis, your online presence, and the advert and process. After that a dedicated recruiter advertises the role, headhunts candidates directly, screens applicants and presents a shortlist of people who have already been through an internal interview.

Across the eight roles we have filled and publish data for, the median time to fill was 53 days (middle half: 22–69 days; fastest: 20 days; slowest: 137 days). Those figures are honest — some roles take longer. A median of 30 candidates were worked per role, with 322 sourced and screened in total across all eight, producing 51 presented to clients and 33 who went to client interview.

Optional Replacement Cover is available to purchase before the hire's start date: if the person leaves for any reason within 12 months, one replacement search for the same role runs at no further fee. This must be bought before the start date and is not available afterwards.

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How does this compare with a contingency agency?

Contingency agencies in Ireland typically charge 15–25% of first-year salary, invoiced only when a candidate is hired. On a €45,000 role that is €6,750–€11,250 — payable after the fact. Many employers prefer this because there is no upfront cost. The trade-off is unpredictability: you do not know the final bill until the hire is made, and agencies often work multiple briefs simultaneously because they are only paid on success.

If a hire made through a contingency agency leaves early, the agency typically offers a rebate period — a partial refund for a defined window. Terms vary considerably between agencies.

If the pay-as-you-go model appeals — knowing the cost before you commit — a fixed-fee approach makes more sense. If budget certainty is less important and you prefer to pay nothing unless a hire is made, a contingency agency may suit you better. That is a genuine trade-off, not a reason to dismiss either route.

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What is unknown

We publish data for eight completed roles only. We do not have enough data to give reliable fill rates broken down by sector or region, and we will not invent figures we cannot evidence. If you want to discuss what is realistic for your specific role, call us on (01) 575 5347.

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FAQs

Is there a way to recruit in Ireland without paying a percentage of salary?

Yes. Job boards take payment per advert or on a daily budget with no placement fee. Advertising packages such as our Premium (€499) or Premium Plus (€599) options are a single upfront cost. A managed search service like Premium Hire charges a fixed fee by salary band — €1,800 to €4,300 — agreed before the search starts, with no percentage of salary involved.

What does a contingency agency charge in Ireland, and how is it different?

Contingency agencies in Ireland typically charge 15–25% of the hired candidate's first-year salary, invoiced on success. You pay nothing unless they fill the role. The fee is unpredictable in advance because it depends on who is hired. A fixed-fee service costs more or less depending on the salary band, but you know the number before you agree to anything.

Can I buy Replacement Cover after the hire has started?

No. Replacement Cover must be purchased before the new hire's start date. If the person leaves within 12 months of starting, one replacement search for the same role runs at no further fee. It is not available once the start date has passed, and there is no refund on any service.

What if I just want to advertise the role and handle applications myself?

That is a reasonable choice for many employers, particularly for roles where applications are plentiful and your own team has the time to screen. Our advertising packages (€499 Premium, €599 Premium Plus) are available for exactly this purpose. You handle everything after the advert goes live.

Frequently asked questions