Choosing the right recruitment firm in Halifax.
Not all recruitment firms work the same way. Here's how to tell them apart, and how to choose well in a small market.
The three types of firms you'll encounter
Staffing agencies work on volume and speed, filling roles through broad postings and large databases. Contingency recruiters are paid only on placement, so they often juggle many searches at once and race to submit candidates first. Retained search firms, like Hawthorne, are engaged exclusively and commit to a limited number of searches, with the goal of finding the right person, not closing the fastest.
Why the distinction matters more in a small market
Halifax and Atlantic Canada are tight-knit. The strongest leadership candidates are almost certainly not refreshing job boards, and discretion is essential, because word travels. Relationships built over years are what open the door to people who never appear in a public posting.
Five questions to ask before you engage anyone
- How many searches are you running at once, and who actually works on mine?
- How do you reach people who aren't actively job-seeking?
- Can you point to specific senior placements you've made in Halifax recently?
- What replacement guarantee do you offer if the hire doesn't work out?
- Do you represent the candidate or the employer?
How Hawthorne answers them
| Searches at once | A limited number. You work directly with the people doing the search, never a junior associate. |
|---|---|
| Reaching people who aren't looking | Market mapping and personal, discreet outreach, built on more than 15 years of relationships in search. |
| Recent senior placements | Yes, in a conversation. Representative mandates are on Our Work. Client names stay private unless the client agrees. |
| Replacement guarantee | Yes. Terms are agreed up front as part of the engagement. |
| Who we represent | On a search, the hiring organization. Every candidate is still treated with care and honesty. |
When Hawthorne is the right fit
When a leadership or specialist hire matters, when quality and discretion outweigh speed, and when you want a partner who knows this market. Learn about our executive search and professional search, or see how we work with employers.
Hiring in Halifax or Atlantic Canada?
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