Recruitment has always been a moving target. From the original word-of-mouth hiring to AI-driven resume screening, the way companies find talent has continuously adapted to the demands of its time. Each era introduced new challenges, and recruitment models adjusted to meet them.

But today’s hiring landscape presents a new set of complexities. Talent shortages, rising turnover rates and the growing importance of cultural alignment have exposed the cracks in traditional search models. Businesses need to fill roles quickly, but without sacrificing quality or fit.

More companies are reconsidering the value of contingent and retained search, instead turning to innovative c-suite recruiters who are breaking the mold to deliver better outcomes. But how did we get here — and what’s next?

The Informal Era: Hiring by Word of Mouth

Long before computers — and even the modern era — the hiring process was informal and personal. Consider this: in ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia, laborers were recruited through village networks and social hierarchies for massive construction projects. It was about knowing the right people, not the right skills.

The Transactional Era: Speed Over Strategy

Fast forward to the Industrial Revolution, and recruitment became more transactional. Businesses needed to fill seats fast to meet growing production demands. Speed, not alignment, became the priority, laying the groundwork for the modern recruitment models that followed.

The Birth of Recruitment Models: Contingent vs. Retained Search

As businesses scaled and competition for talent increased in the mid-20th century, recruitment needed to become more precise. Two models emerged: contingent and retained search.

Contingent Search

After World War II, the booming economy led to a hiring crisis. Contingent search firms responded quickly with a pay-for-performance model in which recruiters only got paid if they placed a candidate. While this approach is fast and low risk for employers, it often sacrifices quality long-term alignment due to the pressure to fill positions quickly.

Retained Search

Introduced by Thorndike Deland in 1926, retained search offered a more strategic approach for executive and high-stakes hiring. Companies pay an upfront fee to secure a dedicated recruiter who conducts an exclusive, targeted search. While it delivers higher-quality candidates, it’s slower and more expensive — often taking months to fill a single role.

Changing Times Demand Innovative C-Suite Recruiters

While these traditional models have their merits, they fail to meet the demands of today’s hiring landscape, which is shaped by new challenges:

  • As of February 2025, there were 8 million job openings but only 8 million unemployed workers to fill them.
  • The best talent is often passive, making it harder to engage those who are not actively job hunting.
  • Candidate expectations have shifted; company culture now drives candidate decisions.
  • Automation can overlook strong candidates who don’t match specific keyword criteria — and one in three talent acquisition pros agree they have accuracy concerns.

Businesses need a model that combines speed, strategic depth and flexibility — and that’s where informed search comes in.

The Rise of Informed Search: Strategy Meets Speed

In today’s fast-paced hiring landscape, speed alone isn’t enough, and strategy without flexibility is too costly. Duffy Group is leading the way with informed search, powered by Duffy Recruitment Research™.

This proprietary five-step process combines market intelligence, strategic targeting and in-depth candidate evaluation to deliver quality and speed. It also builds a talent pipeline, ensuring future hiring success — not just one-off placements.

  • Targets top passive candidates who aren’t actively seeking new opportunities.
  • Typically submits candidates within 10-15 business days, speeding up the hiring process.
  • Average billing model at 14.5% of salary, lower than industry norms.
  • Customizable recruitment strategy tailored to your specific needs.
  • Specialized focus on filling tough roles with unique skill requirements.
  • Ensures alignment with your organization’s values and culture.

Don’t Get Left Behind: Evolve Your Recruitment Strategy

We’re redefining how executive recruitment is done. Get in touch with our team of expert c-suite recruiters to uncover hidden talent and fill your next critical role with confidence.