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Contingent vs. Retained with Hishem Azzouz, Chris Moylan & Louise Archer
Contingent or retained - what’s the better recruitment model?
It's a question that’s sparked debate for decades. But maybe we’ve been asking the wrong question all along.
Our host for this episode, Hishem Azzouz, steps into the role of moderator and questions two industry experts with very different experiences and perspectives: Louise Archer, a passionate advocate for retained search, and Chris Moylan, who’s built successful businesses with a contingent-first mindset.
What unfolds isn’t just a battle, but an exploration of how each model can solve very different recruitment challenges. From high-volume hiring to hard-to-fill senior roles, this conversation goes beyond theory and dives into real scenarios.
You’ll hear:
- Why retained search isn’t just about upfront fees, but about a structured, systematic process that leaves no stone unturned
- When contingent works best and how to make it profitable without being commercially vulnerable
- Tactical advice on converting clients from contingent to retained (including Lou’s clever “refundable retainer” strategy)
- Why lowering your fees to ‘sell’ retained often backfires
- Chris’s take on building exclusivity in contingent search without needing upfront commitment
- And most importantly: how to diagnose what your client really needs before recommending a model
So whether you’re a business owner refining your service offering, a consultant navigating client relationships, or a hiring manager trying to figure out what kind of recruiter you need, this episode will give you honest, practical insights you can apply right away.
Huge thanks to Hishem Azzouz and Chris Moylan for joining us on the podcast and having such an open, honest conversation about an industry we're all passionate about. It was a real privilege to hear both perspectives and dive deep into what really works (and when) in recruitment.
We hope this discussion sparks new ideas and helps recruiters and hiring leaders rethink how they approach their own models.
___
Want to know more about our retained search training? Talk to us: https://retrainedsearch.com/book-a-demo/
Check out our reviews: https://retrainedsearch.com/reviews/
Join our upcoming masterclasses: https://retrainedsearch.com/webinars/
___
LinkedIn
Connect with Louise: https://www.linkedin.com/in/louise-archer-48612844/
Connect with Jordan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/retainedsearchcoach/
Follow Retrained Search: https://www.linkedin.com/company/retrained-search/
View all episodes
By Retrained SearchContingent or retained - what’s the better recruitment model?
It's a question that’s sparked debate for decades. But maybe we’ve been asking the wrong question all along.
Our host for this episode, Hishem Azzouz, steps into the role of moderator and questions two industry experts with very different experiences and perspectives: Louise Archer, a passionate advocate for retained search, and Chris Moylan, who’s built successful businesses with a contingent-first mindset.
What unfolds isn’t just a battle, but an exploration of how each model can solve very different recruitment challenges. From high-volume hiring to hard-to-fill senior roles, this conversation goes beyond theory and dives into real scenarios.
You’ll hear:
- Why retained search isn’t just about upfront fees, but about a structured, systematic process that leaves no stone unturned
- When contingent works best and how to make it profitable without being commercially vulnerable
- Tactical advice on converting clients from contingent to retained (including Lou’s clever “refundable retainer” strategy)
- Why lowering your fees to ‘sell’ retained often backfires
- Chris’s take on building exclusivity in contingent search without needing upfront commitment
- And most importantly: how to diagnose what your client really needs before recommending a model
So whether you’re a business owner refining your service offering, a consultant navigating client relationships, or a hiring manager trying to figure out what kind of recruiter you need, this episode will give you honest, practical insights you can apply right away.
Huge thanks to Hishem Azzouz and Chris Moylan for joining us on the podcast and having such an open, honest conversation about an industry we're all passionate about. It was a real privilege to hear both perspectives and dive deep into what really works (and when) in recruitment.
We hope this discussion sparks new ideas and helps recruiters and hiring leaders rethink how they approach their own models.
___
Want to know more about our retained search training? Talk to us: https://retrainedsearch.com/book-a-demo/
Check out our reviews: https://retrainedsearch.com/reviews/
Join our upcoming masterclasses: https://retrainedsearch.com/webinars/
___
LinkedIn
Connect with Louise: https://www.linkedin.com/in/louise-archer-48612844/
Connect with Jordan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/retainedsearchcoach/
Follow Retrained Search: https://www.linkedin.com/company/retrained-search/