What Is a Container Search? A Middle Ground Between Contingency and Retained

When companies hire an outside recruiter, they usually choose between contingency and retained search. A container search sits between the two, and for many important roles it's the better fit.

How the three models compare

	Contingency	Container	Retained
Upfront payment	None	Partial, at kickoff	Large share, in stages
Recruiter commitment	Shared with other agencies	Dedicated to your search	Dedicated to your search
Best for	Roles that are easy to fill	Hard-to-fill, mid to senior roles	Executive and confidential roles

Why a container search works

On contingency, a recruiter only gets paid if they fill the role before anyone else. That pushes them to send whoever is available quickly, not whoever fits best. A container search starts with a partial fee at kickoff. That commitment means the recruiter can put real time into sourcing, outreach and screening for your search alone. The balance is due when you hire.

You get a dedicated search without the full upfront cost of a retained engagement.

What a HireTalent RPO container search includes

• An intake call to define the role, the must-haves and the compensation range

• Direct sourcing of passive candidates, not just job board applicants

• A phone screen with every candidate before you see them

• 2 to 4 qualified candidates per search, each with a summary of why they fit

Our 85%+ submit-to-interview rate means the candidates we send are worth your time.

See how container search works for employers and recruiting agencies, including pricing tiers.

Have a role that's been hard to fill? Schedule a call to talk about a container search.