Dedicated Resources
Your search isn't one of fifty — it's our priority. We commit focused time and expertise to your success.
Comprehensive Mapping
Our recruiters' deep industry networks ensure you see all qualified candidates, not just those actively looking.
Full Transparency
Real-time visibility into search progress, market insights, and candidate pipeline through our client portal.
Aligned Incentives
Our engaged model means we succeed when you succeed. We're partners, not vendors.
Choose the search structure the role deserves
Contingency works well when flexibility and success-based terms fit the need. Priority Search is for the smaller group of hires that justify dedicated market mapping, confidentiality, guaranteed focus, and a committed search process. Most manufacturing organizations need both, and the difference is the role, not the recruiter.
Flexible
success-based terms
Pay on the agreed outcome
1
dedicated recruiter
Deep research focus
Contingency & flexible search
Available through People First Recruiting
- Pay on the agreed outcome
No fee until the hire is made
- Shared recruiter focus
Your search runs alongside other open roles
- Mostly active candidates
Strong reach into people currently open to a move
- Updates as activity happens
Reporting tied to submittals rather than a set cadence
- Fast, targeted sourcing
Built for speed on well-defined, repeatable roles
- Best for recurring hiring
Multiple openings, plant and professional seats
- Flexible commercial terms
Low commitment, easy to start and stop
- Open process
Suited to roles that can be posted publicly
- Available at PF Recruiting
Contingency, contract, contract-to-direct, and direct hire
Most manufacturing hiring runs well on flexible, success-based terms.
See contingency, contract, contract-to-direct, and direct hire at People First RecruitingThe Priority Advantage
Commitment-based partnership
- Committed engagement
An engagement fee reserves dedicated focus for the search
- Dedicated exclusively
One recruiter fully committed to your search
Access to the full market, not just job seekers
- Real-time portal
Kanban tracking, video interviews, analytics
- Complete market map
Competitor mapping and direct outreach across the sector
- Professional outreach
Branded, personalized candidate experience
- Confidential when needed
For replacements and sensitive leadership changes
- Find the right person
Aligned incentives for quality over speed
- Best for critical hires
Senior leaders, rare specialists, business-critical seats
A committed engagement changes what the search can do: full market mapping, confidential approaches, and the time to reach people who are not looking.
Contingency: success-based terms, strong on recurring and well-defined roles, and easy to start. Available through People First Recruiting.
Use it when: you are filling multiple seats, the role can be posted openly, and flexible commercial terms fit the need.
Engaged: 1 dedicated recruiter, a complete market map, and the time to find the right person.
The kicker: Engagement fee is credited toward your total—you're not paying extra, you're ensuring dedicated focus. Plus, you keep the Market Intelligence Report regardless of outcome.
A Proven 7-Phase Methodology
Every Priority Search follows our battle-tested process, refined over 20+ years and enhanced with modern technology.
Discovery & Alignment
Rapid deep-dive into your business, culture, team dynamics, and the strategic context of the hire.
Key Activities
- Stakeholder interviews
- Role requirements deep-dive
- Culture and team assessment
- Success metrics definition
- Search strategy development
Deliverable
Detailed position profile and search strategy document
Strategic Marketing
Professional marketing materials that elevate your opportunity above competitors. We research your company deeply, create polished brochures, and produce professional video presentations that give candidates compelling reasons to engage—before the first conversation.
Key Activities
- Deep research: Client company history, news, culture, and market position
- Target company analysis: Where top talent works today
- Professional brochure design for the opportunity
- Professional video presentation
- Competitive positioning and differentiation strategy
Deliverable
Premium marketing package: Multi-page brochure, video presentation, and research insights
Market Mapping
We map the entire relevant talent landscape, identifying both active and passive candidates across multiple sources.
Key Activities
- Strategic candidate identification
- Competitive landscape analysis
- Target company mapping
- Compensation benchmarking
- Initial qualification screening
Deliverable
Comprehensive talent map of qualified prospects
Strategic Outreach
Personalized, multi-channel engagement with top candidates, positioning your opportunity as a compelling career move.
Key Activities
- Personalized outreach campaigns
- Initial candidate conversations
- Interest and fit assessment
- Preliminary screening calls
- Candidate pipeline management
Deliverable
Engaged candidate pool with detailed interest assessments
Presentation & Selection
Curated shortlist presentation with full context, AI-generated match scores, and video interviews/transcripts/meeting summaries—often reducing the number of interviews required.
Key Activities
- In-depth candidate assessments
- Video interviews & transcripts
- Reference pre-checks
- Shortlist curation
- Detailed candidate profiles
- Presentation meeting
Deliverable
3-5 exceptional candidates ready for interviews
Interview Coordination
Full interview process management, keeping all parties informed and engaged while gathering actionable feedback.
Key Activities
- Interview scheduling
- Candidate preparation
- Feedback collection
- Process optimization
- Candidate communication
Deliverable
Streamlined interview process with clear decision path
Offer & Onboarding
Strategic offer negotiation and onboarding support to ensure a successful start for both parties.
Key Activities
- Compensation guidance
- Offer strategy consultation
- Negotiation support
- Acceptance facilitation
- Onboarding check-ins
Deliverable
Signed offer and successful candidate start
We Don't Just Post Jobs. We Market Them.
Every Priority Search includes custom video brochures and branded materials that position your opportunity as a compelling career move—not just another job posting.
Video Job Brochure
Compelling video content that showcases your company culture and opportunity
Custom video brochures like this help passive candidates understand why your opportunity is worth exploring—showcasing culture, growth potential, and what makes your company unique.
70% of top talent isn't actively looking. Custom branding helps us reach and engage passive candidates who would never respond to a generic job post.
No More Black Boxes
Track your talent pipeline like you track your projects. Most recruiters send a weekly email update. We give you a live dashboard with Kanban pipeline tracking, candidate video previews, and real-time analytics.
“Partners share information—vendors hide it.”
Real-Time Kanban Pipeline
See every candidate's stage at a glance—from Sourced to Hired
Video Interview Clips
Preview candidates before scheduling interviews
Analytics Dashboard
Track time-to-fill, source metrics, and search activity
Communication Hub
All messages and feedback history in one place
Mobile Access
Check your search status from anywhere, anytime
Full Transparency
No more black boxes—see exactly what we're doing
Engagement Models
Choose the engagement model that best fits your hiring needs and organizational context.
Accelerated Search
3-6 Week Timeline
- Dedicated recruiter (not juggling 50 roles)
- Active candidate sourcing from curated network
- Weekly status updates
- Basic client portal access (pipeline view)
- 30-Day Replacement Guarantee
Ideal for: Clear requirements, abundant talent pool, time-sensitive needs ($60K-$100K roles)
Priority Search
4-8 Week Timeline
- Everything in Accelerated, PLUS:
- Deep organizational research & candidate mapping
- Proactive headhunting of passive candidates
- Custom video job brochures for outreach
- Market Intelligence Report (yours to keep)
- Full client portal with Kanban, analytics, video interviews
- Weekly strategy calls
- 60-Day Replacement Guarantee
Ideal for: Critical hires, hard-to-fill roles, culture-sensitive positions ($80K-$175K+ roles)
Executive Retained Search
8-16 Week Timeline
- Everything in Priority, PLUS:
- Executive briefing videos for stakeholders
- Comprehensive candidate assessment packages
- Salary benchmarking and offer strategy
- Onboarding support
- 6-Month Replacement Guarantee
Ideal for: C-Suite, VP+, transformational leadership hires, succession planning ($175K+ roles)
Frequently Asked Questions
The engagement fee reserves dedicated capacity. It buys a complete market map, direct outreach to people who are not looking, and a recruiter whose attention is committed to this search. It is the right structure when the role justifies that depth — not a judgment on flexible search, which we also offer through People First Recruiting.
The engagement model creates mutual commitment. The fee is credited toward your total, so you're not paying extra—you're ensuring dedicated focus. Plus, you keep the Market Intelligence Report regardless of outcome.
Traditional retained search often involves 33%+ fees paid in thirds regardless of outcome. Priority Search is engaged (not fully retained)—you pay a smaller upfront engagement fee that's credited toward total, with the remainder contingent on placement.
Manufacturing and the functions that keep a manufacturing business running: operations and plant leadership, engineering and technical, IT and OT, and finance, accounting, and business leadership. 20+ years across automotive, aerospace and defense, machining, and industrial products. Through our RIM Network partnership, we also have access to 150+ specialized recruiters nationwide.
Immediately upon signed agreement and engagement fee. Most searches see first qualified candidates within 7-10 days. Priority Searches typically reach the offer stage in 4-8 weeks depending on role complexity.
Yes. Through our RIM Network partnership, we have access to 150+ specialized recruiters nationwide for roles outside our core geography. This allows us to provide the same high-touch service regardless of location.
Compensation benchmarking, competitor talent mapping, market availability analysis, and recommendations for improving your employer brand—yours to keep regardless of placement. It's valuable market intelligence even if the search direction changes.
That is a common trigger for Priority Search. A role that has stayed open usually needs a complete map of who is out there and direct approaches to people who are not applying — which is exactly what a committed engagement funds.
Generic mass outreach is common across the industry and candidates have learned to ignore it. Our approach is deep research and personalized communication, with every candidate getting a real conversation and a straight answer. Your name is attached to that outreach, so every interaction is meant to reflect well on your company.