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Is a retained search worth the extra cost — and how much is at risk if it fails?
Both fees are a percentage of the first-year package you enter. The contingency fee is paid only on a hire. The retained fee is split into the number of instalments you choose; the share you say is due before anyone is hired is the amount at risk if the search fails. The result shows the extra cost (or saving) of going retained when the role is filled, plus the instalments.
20% contingency vs 25% retained in three instalments, two of them before a hire (example rates).
| First-year package | Contingency | Retained | At risk before a hire |
|---|---|---|---|
| AED 240,000 | AED 48,000 | AED 60,000 | AED 40,200 |
| AED 360,000 | AED 72,000 | AED 90,000 | AED 60,300 |
| AED 600,000 | AED 120,000 | AED 150,000 | AED 100,500 |
Work out a single placement fee with the recruitment agency fee calculator. For roles with active candidates, a job post may be all you need.
A contingency agency is paid only if you hire someone it introduced; you can brief several agencies at once. A retained search firm is paid in instalments — usually some before anyone is hired — in return for an exclusive, dedicated search with a set process and deadlines. Retained is common for senior, confidential or hard-to-fill roles.
When the role is senior or rare, needs a confidential approach to people who aren't job-hunting, or when a bad or slow hire would cost far more than the fee difference. For roles with plenty of active candidates, contingency or posting the job yourself is usually enough.
The instalments paid before a hire are normally not refunded — that's the risk you take for the dedicated search. The calculator shows that amount so you can weigh it. Some firms offer to restart the search free if the hire fails; check the proposal.
Fees depend on the firm, the role and the market, and we don't publish numbers we can't source. Enter the percentages from the proposals you've received — the defaults are only examples.
Job bundles are prepaid job posts at a volume discount. Pay once, then redeem a credit the moment a role opens, anywhere in the GCC.
See job bundlesRecruitment Agency Fee Calculator
The placement fee on your agreed % and salary basis, with minimum fee and VAT.
Open toolRecruitment Terms of Business
Draft agency terms: fees, payment, guarantee, introductions and governing law.
Open toolPlacement Commission Calculator
Commission from your billings, threshold, split deals and tiers.
Open toolRecruiter Rate Card
A one-page rate card: contingency, retained, RPO and terms — your numbers.
Open toolCost of Vacancy Calculator
What each working day of an open role costs, from your own numbers.
Open toolFrom the contingency agency's terms (example value).
From the search firm's proposal (example value).
e.g. 2 of 3 instalments due at engagement and shortlist. Check the proposal.
Retainer vs contingency
paid only if you hire
3 instalments
lost if the search fails
If the role is filled
Email the comparison to attach to your hiring approval.