Main Fee Models
In Quebec, firms typically use three models. A success-based mandate is billed when a person is hired. A retained mandate involves payments at different stages of the search. A fixed fee establishes an amount upfront for a specific scope. No model is automatically better: the right choice largely depends on the difficulty of the position and the level of commitment expected from the firm.
A senior management mandate or a confidential search often requires more market mapping, direct outreach, and assessment. Conversely, a well-defined recurring need may lend itself to a fixed fee or volume agreement. To obtain comparable proposals, provide each firm with the same description, salary range, and timeline.
What Should Be Included in the Proposal
- The definition of the profile and disqualifying criteria.
- The search strategy and targeted sectors.
- The number of interviews and the level of assessment conducted.
- Reference checks and planned verifications.
- The frequency of reports and communicated indicators.
- The duration and conditions of the replacement guarantee.
- Any additional expenses and taxes.
Also, ask what happens if the position changes, if the recruitment is paused, or if a previously known candidate is hired. These points should be documented before launching the mandate.
Compare Total Cost Rather Than Displayed Rate
A lower proposal may end up costing more if it produces few qualified candidates, takes up managers' time, or leads to a fragile hire. The real cost includes internal time spent on interviews, the vacancy of the position, operational delays, and the risk of restarting the process.
Therefore, compare firms on a common grid: understanding of the sector, access to passive candidates, quality of pre-selection, presentation timeline, transparency of follow-up, and guarantee. The reviews and specialties listed in our directory of head hunters can help prepare an initial list.
Questions to Ask Before Signing
- Have you recruited for this type of position and at what level of seniority?
- Who will actually conduct the search and interviews?
- How do you avoid contacting the same people as our other partners?
- What results will be presented each week?
- What conditions trigger the replacement guarantee?
For a local need, you can also check out the head hunters in Montreal or the city-specific pages to verify the firm’s actual presence in your market.
The best quote is one that makes the method, deliverables, and risks understandable. Select two or three relevant firms, provide them with the same mandate, and compare their ability to clearly explain how they will find and assess the right people.
