Retained Search vs. Contingent Recruiting: What Hiring Leaders Need to Know

Zak Brocchini

01-13-2026
Blog articles

When you’re trying to hire great engineers or product professionals, it’s common to work with several recruiting firms on a contingent basis, hoping that casting a wide net will speed things up. But often, this approach means recruiters aren’t fully focused on your search, and you end up with a lot of candidates, but not necessarily the right ones.

At 2Bridge Partners, we take a different approach with our Retained Search model. You pay a modest retainer upfront, which goes toward your total fee, and in return, you get an exclusive partnership where your search gets the attention it deserves. This approach helps us find higher quality, often passive candidates who might not be visible through other channels.

Here’s why more hiring managers and talent acquisition leaders are choosing retained searches:

1. Your Search Becomes a Priority
A retainer signals that both you and your search partner are fully invested. Unlike contingent recruiters who juggle multiple roles chasing wherever the fastest payday is, a retained search means we dedicate focused time and energy to your role from the start.

2. Better Candidates, Lower Risk
When we’re working exclusively for you, we can take the time to really get to know candidates and evaluate how they’ll fit both the role and your company culture. That thoroughness leads to hires who perform better and stick around longer, the best way to avoid costly recruiting mistakes.

3. Passive Candidates Require Time and Care
The best engineers aren’t usually applying to job postings; they’re happily employed and not actively looking. Retained searches give us the runway to find and engage these passive candidates in a meaningful way, a process that contingent searches often don’t allow the time or focus for.

4. We Find the Hard-to-Find Skill Sets
The market for engineering talent is competitive. With our proprietary tools, AI-driven sourcing, and a network covering over 10 million engineers nationwide, we can pinpoint candidates with very specific skills, candidates you might never find through traditional channels.

5. We Complement Your Internal Recruiting Team
Strong in-house recruiting teams benefit from working with a retained partner who brings deep expertise, effective tools, and processes designed specifically for tech hiring. Think of it as adding a specialized extension to your team that accelerates and improves your search.

6. Searches Tailored to You
Retained search lets us customize the process to your company’s unique needs. Whether you need a quiet, confidential search or want us to focus on competitors’ teams, we adjust recruitment strategies to fit your culture and hiring goals.

7. Fees That Make Sense, With Better Results
Our Retained Search pricing is competitive with other sourcing options. The retainer you pay upfront counts toward your final fee, so your total investment is in line with industry standards, but with better service and outcomes.

Wrap Up
In a market where top engineering talent is hard to find, contingent recruiting often falls short because it pulls recruiters in too many directions. Choosing a retained search partnership ensures your search gets the time, energy, and expertise it needs to bring you the best candidates.

At 2Bridge Partners, we’re ready to help you make your next critical hire with confidence, backed by a process that works.

If you want to learn more about how a retainer can improve your hiring outcomes, reach out to us today.

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01/12/2026

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Recruitment-as-a-Service (RaaS) offers a flexible, cost-effective way to access seasoned recruiting experts and advanced technology without the expense and risk of hiring full-time recruiters. By partnering with 2Bridge Partners, companies gain immediate recruiting capacity tailored to their hiring needs, ensuring faster, higher-quality hires while controlling costs related to benefits, training, and overhead. RaaS empowers organizations to scale talent acquisition efficiently and confidently in a competitive market.

Executive Summary Hiring top talent in today’s competitive market is both critical and challenging. Traditional recruitment methods often involve high costs, slow turnaround, and inconsistent results. Recruitment-as-a-Service (RaaS) offers a comprehensive, scalable, and cost-effective solution that combines experienced recruiters, advanced technology, and data-driven strategies, all aligned with your company’s growth objectives. At 2Bridge Partners, we embed expert recruiters within your team, equipped with powerful sourcing tools and an AI-driven candidate engagement platform. This approach enables faster hiring and better quality without the overhead of traditional staffing models. What is Recruitment-as-a-Service (RaaS)? RaaS combines senior recruiters and sourcing teams with technology such as AI-enhanced candidate engagement. Offered at a transparent flat fee with no limits on hires, RaaS removes the unpredictability and high costs of contingent searches or building an internal recruiting team. Working with 2Bridge Partners, you receive: A dedicated senior technical or product recruiter plus sourcing support Access to AI-powered outreach and engagement platforms Full ATS and database management An extension of your internal team This model delivers efficient, scalable, and reliable hiring to support your growth. Why Companies Are Turning to Recruitment-as-a-Service Predictable, Transparent Hiring Costs Flat monthly fees make budgeting simple and eliminate surprise charges. Scalable Recruiting Capacity Adjust recruiting resources to match your priorities without hiring or downsizing internal teams. Faster Time-to-Hire for Critical Roles Deploy experienced teams quickly to fill engineering, product, data, and leadership positions. Access to Proven, Experienced Recruiting Talent Unlike hiring W2 recruiters, which can take months with uncertain results, RaaS connects you immediately with senior recruiters who have deep industry experience and strong networks. You also avoid costs related to benefits, health insurance, equity, bonuses, training, and internal management. This lets you maximize recruiting impact without increasing fixed payroll expenses. Embedded Partnership for Cultural Fit RaaS recruiters learn your culture, technology, and needs to deliver candidates aligned with your business. Superior Candidate Experience AI-enabled communication ensures timely, personalized feedback that strengthens your employer brand. Flexibility in an Uncertain Market RaaS is a lower-risk way to adjust recruiting capacity during market or budget fluctuations. Reduced Internal Management Burden We manage recruiter operations, communication, and tools, letting your managers focus on core business. Data-Driven Hiring Insights Reporting on pipeline metrics and KPIs provides transparency and continuous improvement. Built for Modern, Distributed Teams RaaS fits well with agile, remote, and fractional recruitment models common today. Focus on Quality and Retention Our model prioritizes long-term fit and team success over quick placements. Support for Growth, Transformation, or Recovery Whether scaling, restructuring, or entering new markets, RaaS offers flexible support. Stay Competitive in a Talent-Short Market Ongoing outreach and engagement keep you ahead of competitors. A Smarter Alternative to Traditional Agencies Greater accountability and alignment without commission-driven conflicts make RaaS the future of recruiting. When RaaS Makes Sense Recruitment-as-a-Service is a good fit if your organization is experiencing: Rapid growth and scaling in headcount Variable or unpredictable hiring demand Limited internal recruiting resources The need for specialized technical or leadership hires Cost and budget controls requiring predictable expenses A desire to standardize hiring processes Focus on employer brand and candidate experience Business transformation requiring flexible recruiting support If any of these apply, 2Bridge Partners’ RaaS can help you hire smarter and faster. Why Partner with 2Bridge Partners? Comprehensive RaaS Solution: Senior recruiters, sourcing teams, AI engagement, and a proprietary candidate database, all for a flat fee you can budget. Embedded Team Approach: We work as an extension of your talent acquisition and hiring teams, not as outsiders. Industry Expertise: Specialized in engineering, product, and leadership roles for growth-stage companies and enterprises. Data-Driven Strategies: Real-time insights and metrics help optimize hiring pipelines and outcomes. Flexible Engagements: Customized to your company’s growth and fluctuating recruitment needs. Take Action : Transform Your Hiring Strategy Today Talent drives business success. Don’t let outdated, costly recruitment slow you down. 2Bridge Partners’ Recruitment-as-a-Service model helps you hire better and faster with predictable costs. Contact 2Bridge Partners to schedule a consultation and learn how RaaS can fuel your growth. 2Bridge Partners | Redefining recruitment for tomorrow’s technology leaders.

01/06/2026

Why It’s Completely OK to Follow Up After an Interview (And Why Silence Doesn’t Always Mean Rejection)

Following up after a job interview is a vital and professional step that reinforces your enthusiasm, keeps you top of mind, and helps differentiate you from other candidates. While waiting can be stressful, silence doesn’t always mean rejection, there are many reasons hiring decisions take time. By sending a timely thank-you email and polite follow-ups, you demonstrate confidence and genuine interest without being pushy. Remember, thoughtful persistence can be your professional edge in landing the right opportunity.

Going through a job interview process can be both exciting and nerve-wracking. After you’ve prepared, successfully completed your interview, and shown your best self, the waiting begins, and sometimes, the silence that follows can lead to anxiety. If you’re wondering, “How long should I wait to follow up after an interview?” or “Is it okay to send a follow-up email if I haven’t heard back?”, you’re certainly not alone. Rest assured, following up after an interview is not only acceptable, but also often appreciated by hiring managers and recruiters alike. Why You Should Always Follow Up After an Interview Following up after an interview is a critical step in the job search process. It gives you a chance to: Reinforce your interest in the role Highlight your professionalism and enthusiasm Stand out amid a sea of candidates Hiring teams are often juggling multiple candidates and deadlines. Your thoughtful follow-up serves as a respectful nudge that keeps you top of mind without appearing pushy. Send a Thank-You Email Within 24 Hours: Within 24 hours of your interview, send a concise thank-you note to your interviewer(s). This message should express gratitude for their time and reaffirm your excitement about the role. Keep it brief but personalized, a simple, genuine note can make a lasting positive impression. Be Patient but Strategic with Additional Follow-Ups: If you don’t hear back within about a week after your thank-you note, it’s perfectly fine to send a polite follow-up email. Keep this message concise and respectful, emphasizing one or two key skills or experiences that make you a great match for the position. This keeps your application fresh in their mind. Show Genuine Enthusiasm and Cultural Fit: Companies seek candidates who are not only technically qualified, but also culturally aligned and genuinely motivated. Don't hesitate to express your enthusiasm for the team, company mission, or future contributions you hope to make. Politely Request Feedback When Appropriate: If you haven’t received a response after your follow-ups, feel free to ask if there’s any feedback they might share. Demonstrating a willingness to learn and improve is often viewed positively. Keep in mind, however, that many companies are unable to provide detailed feedback due to volume or policy restrictions. For more on how to effectively ask for and utilize feedback in your job search, check out our article: 3 Tips for Feedback to Help Keep Your Search Moving Forward. Why Silence After an Interview Isn’t Always a “No” It’s natural to assume silence means rejection, but hiring processes are often slower than they seem. Here are common reasons for delays: Multiple candidates interviewed: Companies often wait until all candidates have been interviewed before making decisions, so if your interview was early in the process, it may take longer. Team debrief meetings: It can take several days for hiring teams to meet and discuss candidates. Scheduling conflicts or absences: Hiring team members may be on vacation or out sick, slowing down the process. Business priorities: Production issues and pressing work demands sometimes take precedence over hiring. Budget or approval delays: Internal changes can postpone hiring decisions. Role changes: Sometimes, the position’s requirements may change mid-process. Understanding these factors can help you manage your expectations and remain patient during the waiting period. Final Thoughts: Make Following Up Your Professional Edge Following up after an interview is not a sign of desperation; it’s a hallmark of professionalism and genuine interest. Sending a timely thank-you email followed by thoughtful, polite check-ins demonstrates confidence and commitment, qualities that make a positive impression on hiring managers. Don’t let fear of appearing pushy stop you from staying engaged. Silence on the employer’s end doesn’t have to silence your enthusiasm. Be proactive, be patient, and trust that the right opportunity will appreciate your thoughtful persistence. If you found these tips helpful and want to learn more about navigating your job search confidently, explore our other resources and articles on the 2Bridge Partners Resource Hub. At 2Bridge Partners, we’re committed to supporting your career journey every step of the way.

12/19/2025

Under-Promise, Over-Deliver : Mastering Expectations in Recruitment

This blog will explore how managing expectations is a powerful strategy for recruiters to build trust, improve candidate experience, and retain clients. It will emphasize the “under-promise, over-deliver” mindset with practical tips and supporting data to show the risks of overpromising and the benefits of transparency. Targeted at recruiters and hiring professionals, the post aims to inspire a shift toward honest communication as a competitive advantage, backed by key industry statistics for credibility.

Why Managing Expectations Is the Real Secret Sauce in Recruiting Imagine this: you’re excited because your recruiter just told you they’ve found the perfect candidate or landed you your dream job. But a week later, reality hits, and it's anything but perfect. Frustration, disappointment, and the sting of broken trust settle in. Sound familiar? That’s the power of expectations, and when it comes to recruiting, managing them well can be the difference between building a relationship and burning a bridge. I’ve been deep in the trenches of recruiting for years, and here’s a truth I keep coming back to: managing expectations isn’t just nice to do, it’s what wins in the long run. Let me break down why this is the secret sauce so few really master. It’s Not Just What Happens, It’s What People Expect to Happen People’s feelings and judgments hinge on the gap between what they expect and what they actually experience. When reality beats expectations, you win trust and excitement builds. When it falls short, you lose credibility, fast. Recently, LinkedIn’s Talent Insights found that 73% of candidates say how a company handled the recruiting and hiring process impacted how they viewed the company overall. That means the way you communicate throughout the process shapes your entire relationship. Under-Promise, Over-Deliver: Not Just a Motto, a Mindset Set realistic (or even a bit conservative) expectations, then blow past them with solid results. If you tell a client it will take six weeks to find a great candidate, and then deliver in four, you just built instant trust. Same with candidates, you don’t want to overhype the role and set them up for disappointment. Why does this work? Because people aren’t just buying a candidate or a job, they’re making impactful decisions that affect their lives. Recruiters who set clear, honest expectations reduce pressure and build relationships that last. A recent report by MRINetwork found that transparency in recruiting increased not only candidate satisfaction but also client retention by more than 25%. The Real Cost of Over-Promising Over-promising in recruitment has tangible, measurable consequences that ripple across your business. When recruiters commit to timelines or make promises they can’t keep, it leads to costly delays and mismatches that drain company resources. More critically, the damage to reputation is long-lasting. Glassdoor research shows that 67% of candidates who endure negative interview experiences will share their stories publicly or within their networks. This erodes trust not only among candidates but also with clients, who become hesitant to re-engage. The result? A shrinking pipeline. How to Set Expectations That Work, For Everyone Start with an honest conversation. Lay out realistic timelines, flag potential roadblocks early, and keep the dialogue going. Don’t just check in when good news comes; regular, steady updates build confidence, even when things hit bumps. Use frameworks like SMART goals to make your promises Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound. Technology can help: applicant tracking systems (ATS) or recruiting CRMs let everyone see where things stand in real time, avoiding surprises and confusion. Why Candidate Experience Is More Than Just a Buzzword Candidates remember how you handled their journey longer than the job offer itself. Talent Board’s 2023 Candidate Experience research highlights that 62% of candidates would recommend a company based on how respectfully they were treated, even if they didn’t get the job. The flip side? Poor communication travels fast, and will damage your brand’s goodwill. Bottom Line: Expectation Management Is Your Competitive Advantage Recruitment is messy. It’s human. And it’s a relationship game built on trust and clear communication. When recruiters master setting and managing expectations, everyone benefits. The results are happy clients and engaged candidates. The next time you feel tempted to over-promise, pause and ask yourself: Can I deliver on this? If yes, then lean into your work and let your actions speak louder than words. Because in recruiting, and in life, once the trust is broken, it’s difficult to repair. Quick Facts for Recruiters: 73% of candidates say hiring experience impacts view of the company (LinkedIn Talent Insights, 2023) Transparency in recruiting boosts client retention by 25%+ (MRINetwork, 2023) 67% of candidates who had poor interview experience share it online or with peers (Glassdoor, 2023) 62% of candidates recommend companies based on respectful communication, even when unsuccessful (Talent Board, 2023)