Do it yourself
HireLikeaPro
Free
structured hiring workflow
- Role brief and job description.
- Interview scorecard and questions.
- Evidence-led interview review.
Recruitment fees
Recruitment fees and hiring support options
Start with the free structured workflow, calibrate one role with Mihai for €1,500, or hand over the search at 10% to 15% of first-year base salary.
Clients typically pay 30% to 50% of the agreed fee at kickoff. The balance is usually due on contract signature. Retained searches can include a 3 to 6 month replacement period where the hire does not meet the agreed performance expectations or working-context requirements. The signed engagement agreement sets the exact eligibility, exclusions, term, and process.
Bonus, commission, and equity are not part of the first-year base salary used to calculate the retained fee. The exact payment schedule and replacement terms are set out in the engagement agreement.
Choose the right level of support
Three ways to hire with a clearer bar
Use HireLikeaPro when your team can run the process. Choose the Search Readiness Sprint when the role or interview bar needs calibration. Choose Evidence-Led Retained Search when you want Mihai to run the search end to end.
Do it with Mihai
Search Readiness Sprint
€1,500 pilot
one role, delivered in 3 business days
- 90-day outcomes and evidence criteria.
- Calibrated JD, scorecard, and questions.
- Credited to retained search started within 30 days.
Done for you
Evidence-Led Retained Search
10% to 15%
of first-year base salary
- 3–6 assessed candidates in 10 business days.
- Market map, outreach, interviews, and evidence briefs.
- References, offer support, and written replacement terms.
Done for you
How Evidence-Led Retained Search is priced
Evidence-Led Retained Search is for roles where the cost of getting the decision wrong is high, the market is tight, or the search needs focused senior attention. We agree the fee, scope, payment schedule, and replacement period before kickoff.
See how executive search worksAgree the scope
We confirm the role, success criteria, search scope, fee, and replacement period in writing.
Start the search
A kickoff payment of typically 30% to 50% of the agreed fee starts the research, mapping, and outreach work.
Complete the hire
The balance is usually due on contract signature. We stay close to the process through the agreed replacement period.
Before kickoff
What we agree before work starts
Role outcomes and scorecard
Search scope and relevant candidate markets
Exact retained fee and payment dates
Replacement period and the terms that apply
Stakeholders and interview process
Whether the Sprint or retained search is the right next step
FAQs
Recruitment fees, answered
How much does a retained search cost?
Most retained searches cost 10% to 15% of first-year base salary. The exact fee depends on the seniority, complexity, and scope of the role. Bonus, commission, and equity are not part of the fee basis. We agree the exact fee in writing before work begins.
How does the payment schedule work?
Clients typically pay 30% to 50% of the agreed search fee at kickoff. The balance is usually due on contract signature. The exact payment schedule is set out in the engagement agreement.
What replacement period do you offer?
Retained searches can include a 3 to 6 month replacement period where the hire does not meet the agreed performance expectations or working-context requirements. Eligibility, exclusions, and the exact process are set out in the signed engagement agreement.
What is the Search Readiness Sprint?
The Search Readiness Sprint is a founder-led calibration for one role. In 3 business days, you receive the 90-day outcomes, evidence criteria, a calibrated job description, interview scorecard, structured questions, and a follow-up review. The pilot price is €1,500.
Is the Sprint fee credited toward retained search?
Yes. If you start an Evidence-Led Retained Search within 30 days of the Sprint, the €1,500 Sprint fee is credited toward the retained search fee.