What Is a Contingency Position?
A contingency position is available through an outside recruiting agency. A recruiter hiring for this type of position differs from a regular contract recruiter -- she only gets paid if the position is filled. That’s why it’s called a contingency position. And the recruiter with whom you're talking might not be the only professional working to fill the job. There might be several. This means the employer has more potential candidates for the job opening.
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Contingency Agency Benefits
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The main benefit of using a contingency agency is that you don’t pay a fee. The employer pays the fee when the recruiter successfully fills the contingency position. This helps reduce your out-of-pocket costs when searching for a job. Contingency agencies are typically used by employers to fill specialized and higher-level positions.
How it Works
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A contingency agency will take your application, learn about your skills and determine if she has an appropriate position for your qualifications. If not, don’t worry. She’ll keep your qualifications on file. This way, when a position becomes available in the future, you’ll be in her database. A contingency agency doesn’t get paid until it fills the position. You can expect your recruiter to be motivated to find you the right position for your background and experience.
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Contingency Recruiter Drawbacks
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A contingency recruiter also works differently than a retained recruiter. A retained recruiter has direct access to the hiring manager. This is a benefit to you. With a contingency recruiter, however, there might be several different recruiters working to fill the same contingency position. Your ability to get in front of the company is contingent on the recruiter’s relationship with the hiring company.
Contingency Position Tips
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Before signing up to work with a recruiter for a contingency position, talk with the recruiter about privacy. You might not want your current employer to know you’re searching for work. Ask her not to share your resume with other recruiters, or forward your resume to prospective employers without your permission.
Also, talk with the recruiter about the any potential contingency positions. Find out if she has an exclusive arrangement with the employer, or if she’s one of many recruiters working to fill the position. Find out how long the position has been open and how long the company has been interviewing. Finding out these details will help you determine if you want to provide your information and apply for the job opening.
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References
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