Permanent Recruitment Spend: Choosing the Right Hiring Approach

Recruiting the right talent is crucial for any business. Companies have various hiring options, from working with recruitment agencies to outsourcing their recruitment process. While agencies can be highly effective, especially when they understand a business's long-term needs, using an agency for a one-off hire may not always be the most cost-efficient or strategic approach.

At Owen Daniels, we offer a Recruitment Process Outsourcing (RPO) solution that provides a transparent, flexible alternative. Our approach is designed to maximise efficiency and cost savings while ensuring the right hires for long-term success.

When One-Off Agency Hiring May Not Be the Best Fit

There are scenarios where relying on an agency for an occasional hire may lead to higher costs and longer hiring times. Some potential considerations include:

1. Understanding Cost Implications

Recruitment agencies typically charge 15–25% of the candidate’s annual salary per hire. While this fee structure can be effective for urgent needs, businesses making multiple hires may benefit from a more strategic and cost-efficient approach.

2. Finding the Right Long-Term Fit

A strong recruitment strategy goes beyond filling a vacancy. Ensuring the right cultural and professional alignment with long-term business goals can help improve retention and productivity.

3. Managing Hiring Timelines

The time-to-hire when working with an agency can vary, depending on factors like role complexity and market conditions. For businesses needing consistent, efficient recruitment, a structured solution may be more effective.

4. Expanding Talent Reach

Traditional agencies work hard to source top talent, but they often engage candidates only when a role is open. A proactive approach, such as RPO, builds an ongoing pipeline of qualified professionals, ensuring a broader and more future-ready talent pool.

Why Owen Daniels RPO is a Smart Alternative

For businesses looking for a flexible and scalable hiring approach, our RPO model offers many advantages:

1. Tailored, Cost-Effective Pricing

We structure our pricing to fit your business needs—whether it’s pay per hire, a fixed cost model, or a monthly retainer—allowing you to maximise savings while maintaining quality.

2. Faster and More Strategic Hiring

Our embedded recruitment team works proactively to build and maintain talent pipelines, significantly reducing time-to-hire and supporting long-term workforce planning.

3. Quality Hires with a Retention Focus

Rather than just filling roles, we prioritise cultural and skills alignment, ensuring long-term success for both businesses and candidates.

4. Scalable Solutions for Business Growth

Whether you're scaling up for a major project or need ongoing recruitment support, our flexible RPO model adapts to your hiring needs, seamlessly integrating with your HR team.

Making the Right Hiring Choice

There is no one-size-fits-all solution to hiring. Agencies play an important role in recruitment, particularly for one-off hires or urgent needs. However, for businesses seeking consistent, high-quality talent acquisition, an RPO approach can provide greater control, cost efficiency, and long-term workforce planning.

At Owen Daniels, we work with businesses to develop tailored recruitment solutions that align with their goals and budgets.

Want to explore how RPO can benefit your business? Get in touch today, here, to discuss your recruitment strategy.