An exclusive, research led approach to hiring architects, built to reach the candidates that contingency recruitment and a stretched internal function never see.
| Multi agency contingency | Internal function | Engaged Search (retained) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Who it reaches | The active 20% of the market, the same candidates every other agency and job board is chasing | The candidates who come to you | The whole market, including the passive 80% who have to be found, approached and persuaded |
| How the search is run | Several agencies race each other. The commercial model rewards speed, not rigour | Time for the candidates who apply, alongside a full requisition load | One exclusive, research led search, run properly by the person who will do the work |
| Architecture expertise | Varies, often generalist | An internal generalist is unlikely to be an architecture expert | Twenty years spent solely interviewing and hiring architects |
| The brief | Taken as given | Taken as given | Challenged before the search starts, not three months in |
| Counter offers | Superficial relationships, 3.7x more likely to withdraw | Limited time to stay close to candidates | Managed before they happen, through constant contact with each candidate |
| How you pay | Only on placement, typically 18% to 20% | Internal cost carried across every role | 22.5% of first-year base salary, in three stages: 25% on commencement, 25% on two candidates reaching second interview, 50% on starting |
Retained search is where you engage one search firm exclusively and commit part of the fee up front. That commitment is what pays for a thorough, research led search of the whole market, rather than a race between agencies for the same active candidates. Engaged Search is Konvergent’s retained search method for hiring architects.
Advertising, job boards and contingency recruitment compete for the same fifth of the market. No contingency recruiter will run the depth of search and screening an architecture hire demands, because they could do all of it and still lose the placement. The other 80% has to be found, approached and persuaded.
Contingency agencies typically charge 18% to 20%, paid only on placement. Engaged Search is 22.5% of first-year base salary, confirmed against the actual agreed salary at offer and paid in three stages. The deposit is all that is committed to start. See Pricing for the full schedule.
The search follows a proven three phase process, from defining who you really need, through sourcing and assessment, to offer and the first six months. See Engaged Search for permanent hires or Engaged Search for associates.
Candidates listen when someone is straight with them from the first conversation and understands the role they are discussing. That honesty is what earns the access, and it is what keeps candidates talking through a long process.
