Let’s keep this simple!!!!
If you could buy the same product, with the same quality, from two different suppliers, would you choose the one that charges significantly more?
No, of course you wouldn’t.
So why does this happen every day in recruitment?
Across many sectors, clients are paying inflated recruitment fees for the exact same end result, the same candidate, with the same skills, in the same role, just through a different agency, and so many don’t even realise it!!!!!!
The reality of recruitment pricing
There’s a long-standing myth in recruitment:
Higher fees = Better quality.
In reality, that simply isn’t true, what matters is:
- Reach
- Network
- Market knowledge
- Speed
- Process
- Relationships
Not how much a recruiter charges.
A strong recruiter with genuine sector knowledge and a trusted network can access the same candidate pool as any of the so-called ‘big brands’, often faster, often with more flexibility, and without the eye-watering price tag.
Yet some clients are still paying higher recruitment fees when they could be paying far less for the exact same outcome.
- Same shortlist
- Same candidate
- Same hire
And in many cases, they’re also paying upfront fees and retainers on top of that, this is all before a single CV even lands in their inbox, how does that make sense?
Recruitment isn’t a luxury good
You’re not buying a designer handbag, you’re hiring a person, and at the end of the process:
- The candidate doesn’t perform better because you paid more.
- The CV doesn’t shine brighter because the agency logo is bigger.
- The onboarding isn’t smoother because the fee is higher.
The uncomfortable truth
Many organisations stick with high-cost suppliers because:
- “It’s who we’ve always used”
- “They’re a big name”
- “Procurement approved them years ago”
- “We don’t want to change the process”
But let’s call it what it is:
Comfort is expensive, and in a market where margins are tight and budgets are under pressure, overpaying for the same outcome simply doesn’t add up.
Especially when that money could be reinvested into:
- Your people
- Your properties
- Your systems
- Staff engagement
- Or your bottom line
Final thought
If two suppliers can deliver you the same candidate who has:
The same experience.
The same skillset.
The same cultural fit.
The same start date.
…..…why pay more?
Recruitment should be about value, not vanity. Working with a recruiter who delivers results without inflated fees, upfront charges or retainers isn’t a risk, it’s just good business.
Because when you get the same result for less, that’s not a compromise… that’s smart recruitment.