Hiring
What do search firms do and how much do they charge in Ireland?
Search firms in Ireland find and screen candidates on your behalf, rather than waiting for applications. Contingency agencies typically charge 15–25% of first-year salary, payable only if you hire. Retained search firms charge a similar percentage but invoice in stages regardless of outcome. A managed-search model sits between the two: fixed fees from €1,800 to €4,300 depending on salary band, with a 100% refund if the role is not filled.
What do search firms do?
A search firm takes on the work of finding candidates rather than posting a job and waiting. Depending on the model, that means sourcing from LinkedIn and specialist databases, screening applicants, and presenting a shortlist to you. The term covers several quite different commercial arrangements, so the price and the risk you carry vary considerably.
The main models operating in Ireland
| Model | Typical cost | When you pay | Your risk if the role is not filled |
|---|---|---|---|
| Job advertising only | €499–€599 (our packages) | Upfront | Full cost lost |
| Contingency agency | 15–25% of first-year salary (market rate) | On hire | Nothing — but rebate periods apply if the hire leaves early |
| Retained search | 15–25% of first-year salary (market rate), billed in stages | In instalments | Fees paid even if no hire |
| Managed search (fixed fee) | €1,800–€4,300 depending on salary band | Upfront | 100% refund if the role is not filled |
Contingency figures above reflect published market data, not our prices.
When a contingency agency genuinely beats a fixed-fee firm
If you have no budget to spend upfront and are comfortable accepting a candidate from whichever agency gets there first, a contingency arrangement costs you nothing until you hire. The trade-off is that agencies working on contingency have no exclusive commitment to your role — they are filling several roles simultaneously and will prioritise whichever closes fastest. For senior or specialist roles, this can slow things down or narrow your shortlist.
What our managed-search service costs
Our fees are fixed by salary band. Irish business customers are reverse-charge, so the figures below are what you pay.
| Role salary | Our fee |
|---|---|
| Up to €29,999 | €1,800 |
| €30,000–€44,999 | €2,300 |
| €45,000–€59,999 | €3,300 |
| €60,000 and above | €4,300 |
For roles at the higher end of the salary scale, our fee is typically a fraction of what a percentage-based agency charges. For lower-salary roles, the gap narrows — and for very junior positions, advertising alone may be the more sensible route. See our job advertising packages if that is what you need.
What the data shows
Across the 8 roles we have published in full on our success stories page:
- Median time to fill: 53 days (middle half of roles: 22–69 days; fastest: 20 days; slowest: 137 days)
- Candidates sourced and screened per hire: 322 in total across all roles
- Presented to client per hire: 51 in total
- Median candidates worked per role: 30
- Hired: 9 people across 8 roles
We publish these figures unedited because search is not a predictable process and employers deserve an honest picture. Some roles fill quickly; some take months. If a role is not filled, you receive a 100% refund.
Our guarantee
If we do not fill your role, you get your money back — a 100% refund. Not a credit. Not another candidate. The money back. Full details are on our guaranteed hire page.
Contingency agencies do not charge upfront, but many include a rebate period in their terms — meaning if the hire leaves within a set window, you receive a partial refund rather than a full one. Read the small print on any arrangement before you sign.
How to compare search firms in Ireland
Five things worth checking before you appoint anyone:
- Do they publish actual results? Vague claims about speed or quality are easy to make.
- Is the fee fixed or percentage-based? For a €70,000 role, 20% is €14,000. A fixed-fee firm will be considerably cheaper.
- What happens if they do not fill it? Retained firms keep staged payments. Understand what you are liable for.
- Are rebate periods written clearly? Know how long they last and what triggers them.
- Who is doing the actual search? Some firms hand roles to junior resourcers immediately after the first call.
For broader context on hiring costs in Ireland, see our blog post on what typical recruitment fees in Ireland look like.
Talk to us
If you want to discuss a specific role before committing to anything, call us on (01) 575 5347. We will tell you honestly whether managed search, advertising, or something else is the better fit.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a search firm and a recruitment agency?
The terms overlap, but 'search firm' usually implies active sourcing — finding candidates who are not necessarily looking — rather than posting a job and managing applications. Contingency agencies are reactive; retained and fixed-fee search firms are proactive. The commercial model and upfront commitment differ significantly between the two.
How long does it typically take a search firm to fill a role in Ireland?
Across the 8 roles we have filled and published, the median time was 53 days. The middle half of roles fell between 22 and 69 days. The fastest was 20 days and the slowest 137 days. Any firm that quotes a fixed timeline without qualification is overpromising — search times vary with seniority, location, and how competitive the salary is.
Is a fixed-fee search firm always cheaper than a contingency agency in Ireland?
For higher-salary roles, yes — usually by a substantial margin. For lower-salary roles the difference narrows. At €25,000 a year, a contingency agency charging 15% would cost €3,750 if you hire; our fee for the same role is €1,800. At €70,000, a 20% contingency fee is €14,000 against our €4,300. The contingency model does cost nothing if you do not hire, which is a genuine advantage if budget is tight and you are willing to work with multiple agencies.
What is a rebate period and how does it affect me?
A rebate period is a clause in a contingency agency's terms that entitles you to a partial refund if the person you hire leaves within a defined window — often 8 to 12 weeks. The refund is usually partial and shrinks the longer the person stays. It is not the same as a guarantee. If a hire leaves after the rebate period, you pay the full fee again for a second search.
Sources
Want the fixed price for your role?
Advertise it yourself across Ireland's major job boards from €499, or hand the whole search to a dedicated recruiter with Guaranteed Hire — a flat fee by salary band with a 100% refund if the role is not filled. No VAT is added for Irish businesses.
See Guaranteed Hire Advertise a job
Or call (01) 575 5347.