Independent recruiter: setting and securing your fees

The market standard

Recruitment fees are most often a percentage of the role's gross annual salary (often 15–25%). On a €45,000 role, that's several thousand euros per placement.

Flat fee or percentage?

A percentage tracks the value of the role; a flat fee gives clarity. Many freelancers mix the two depending on the client and the difficulty of the search.

The real risk: unpaid and out-of-time

• A client who hires your candidate 'directly' after presentation
• A payment that drags on for months after the placement
• A candidate who leaves fast and a client who disputes

Securing your fees

A clear framework protects you: fee agreed upfront, anti-circumvention clause, retention guarantee, and a third party that secures the payment. That's what separates an amateur recruiter from a calm professional.

Secured fees, without thinking about it

On AGOON, your fee is shown before you accept the assignment, anti-circumvention is built into the framework, and payment is secured and triggered on a successful hire. You focus on recruiting, not on collecting.