Retained-Like Services on a Contingency Basis

The James Allen Companies has established a reputation of quality and integrity within the insurance industry and has done so by presenting companies with highly qualified professionals quickly and effectively. In our constant efforts to provide exceptional service, we explored the search solutions of several competitors and were surprised to discover that while we also offer outstanding retained and contained services, our contingency offerings were much more aligned with the level of service many firms identify as retained. We quickly realized that we offer retained-like services but on a contingency basis. Unfortunately, this has somewhat unfairly placed us in the same space as other contingency firms that offer a diluted product, so we set out to create a summation of what retained service looks like and how the contingency search of The James Allen Companies is more closely associated with retained searches, in terms of quality and dedication.

The most identifiable difference between our contingency services and the retained offerings of other firms is the fee structure. Whereas traditional retained services not only typically charge a higher fee, they also require a portion of that fee (usually one-third) upfront to engage the service and another portion (another third) of the fee at a set point within the process. Before a candidate is even placed, most retained options will have charged a client nearly 70 percent of the total fee. Our contingency option requires no initial commitment fee, and a charge is only incurred upon successful completion of the search. Aside from differences in fee system, we outlined five of the leading value propositions of retained firms and addressed how we at The James Allen Companies provide these same values on a contingency basis.

1. Exclusivity
   Many retained firms will attest to the fact that the candidates they source for you are not shopped to other clients. We approach the search process with the same exclusivity, seeking the best candidates for specific opportunities.
2. Timeliness
   We approach each job order with the expediency and dedication required to locate and attract the most talented professionals. Our contingency model actually serves as a motivating factor to exceed our clients’ needs and expectations.
3. Passive Candidates
   A common implication of retained search is that this service is the only way to connect with top candidates who aren’t actively looking for an opportunity. We rarely work with active candidates, focusing primarily on the passive talent that stands to best serve our clients.
4. Expertise
   We bring real and relevant insurance and staffing experience to each search. With a deep history in the industry, we truly understand what companies need in order to succeed and we know how to deliver on those needs.
5. Guarantee
   Retained firms will often toss around the assurance of a guarantee to solidify the superiority of their services; however, The James Allen Companies is committed to the success of the candidates we place, which is why we too offer a guarantee on our placements.

If you are currently exploring the services of an insurance-specific recruiting firm, we challenge you to contact us and discover how we can provide the same level of service on a contingency basis. Perhaps you have had past experience with the contingency options of firms that reflect a less knowledgeable approach that lacks the dedication and resources your organization needs to find the best talent. What we believe you will find, however, at The James Allen Companies is that we believe in always providing our clients with exceptional solutions that are designed to place top professionals that meet their technical and cultural needs, regardless of the label associated with the search option they choose.