Types of Recruitment Agencies and Their Pros & Cons

01 June 2025 Laura Barratt

Tanya Staton Dupe

Hiring the right talent for your business can be a daunting task, especially in today’s competitive job market. Partnering with a recruitment firm can be a game-changer in helping you find the perfect fit for your team. However, not all recruiting firms are created equal, and understanding the different types of recruitment agencies and how they operate is crucial to making the right choice for your business. Let’s dive into the different types of recruitment firms, the pros and cons of each, and how Barratt Galvin can help you bridge the gap and get results.

1. Contingency Recruitment Firms

Contingency recruitment firms are among the most common types of agencies. In this model, the recruiter is only paid when they successfully place a candidate in the role. This “no win, no fee” approach makes it an attractive option for businesses looking to keep hiring costs down.

Pros:

  • Low Financial Risk: You only pay when a candidate is successfully placed, making it a low-risk option for employers.

  • Faster Turnaround: Contingent recruiters typically work quickly, as they are motivated to fill roles and earn their fees.

  • Established Candidate Pool: These agencies often have a large network of candidates and can quickly tap into their database to find someone who fits the role.

Cons:

  • Less Exclusivity: Since the recruiter is working on multiple roles at once, and your role hasn’t provided upfront revenue, your role may not always get their undivided attention.

  • Competition Between Firms: If you engage multiple contingency recruiters, you may find yourself competing for the same candidates.

  • Lower Quality of Service: With contingent recruitment, there is sometimes a lack of deep relationship-building or strategy, as recruiters are incentivised to fill the role quickly.

2. Retained Recruitment Firms

Retained recruitment is a more dedicated approach, where the employer pays the recruiter a portion of the fee upfront to work on a specific role. This entire recruitment fee is split into stages, such as an initial payment to start the search, another payment upon reaching an agreed interview stage and a final payment when the position is filled.

Pros:

  • Exclusive Commitment: A retained recruiter works exclusively on your role, dedicating significant time and resources to finding the right candidate.

  • Higher-Quality Service: Since the recruiter is compensated upfront, they have budget to direct exclusively to an advertising campaign for your role, providing you access not only to their established network but also to fresh talent specifically engaging for your role.

  • Thorough Search:Retained firms often undertake a more in-depth search and vetting process, which can result in higher-quality candidates.

Cons:

  • Upfront cost: A portion of your budget will be spent upfront to allow the recruiter to commence the search.  However, Retained recruitment only results in a more expensive option than contingency if you are constantly paying pay upfront fees and not getting to your successful hire. This risk can be mitigated by talking to a recruiter you have an established relationship with about what options they can provide.

  • Longer Timeline: The process may take longer, as the recruiter invests more time in sourcing and vetting candidates carefully.

3. Specialist or Niche Recruitment Firms

Specialist recruitment firms focus on specific industries or sectors, such as legal, IT, or healthcare. These firms are experts in their field and often have a deep understanding of the specific skills and experience required for roles in that industry.

Pros:

  • Industry Expertise: These firms have a wealth of industry-specific knowledge, making them highly effective at identifying candidates who meet the nuanced requirements of the role.

  • Tailored Approach: Specialist firms can tailor their search based on your business’s specific needs, often delivering more high-quality candidates.

  • Access to Niche Talent Pools: They often have exclusive access to top-tier talent within their area of focus.

Cons:

  • Limited Candidate Pool: Because they focus on a specific industry, the pool of candidates they work with can be more limited compared to general recruitment firms.

  • Higher Cost: Specialist firms may charge a premium for their expertise in a niche market, making them more expensive than generalist firms.

How Barratt Galvin Can Help You Fill the Gap

Choosing the right type of recruitment support can be tricky, but it’s crucial to select a firm that aligns with your hiring needs, budget, and company culture. At Barratt Galvin, we specialise in providing tailored recruitment solutions in the legal sector. We offer both retained and contingent recruitment services, ensuring we have a strategy that suits your unique hiring goals.

Our Approach:

  • Client-Centric Focus: We take the time to understand your business, culture, and specific requirements, ensuring that the candidates we source align perfectly with your needs.

  • Industry Expertise: With a deep understanding of the legal industry, we specialise in recruiting top talent for law firms and in-house legal teams across Australia, the Middle East, UK, and Asia Pacific.

  • Transparent Process: Whether you choose a contingent or retained model, we provide full transparency and support throughout the entire hiring process, ensuring you’re always in the loop.

By working with Barratt Galvin, you’llbenefit from our expertise, a comprehensive approach, and our commitment to finding the right talent for your business. Get in touch with us today to discuss how we can help you build the team of your dreams.

Ready to fill the gap in your team?

Contact Barratt Galvin today to learn more about how we can support your recruitment efforts.