Structure over speed · Fair pricing over commission · Partnership over transaction
Why we're different
Every decision we make sits on one side of these contrasts — and it's rarely the side the traditional agency model rewards.
01
Structure over speed
A defined process that leads to good decisions, rather than a race to fill the seat fastest.
02
Fair pricing over commission
A fixed fee agreed upfront — never a percentage of salary that quietly rewards a bigger hire.
03
Partnership over transaction
We work beside you from brief to offer, not a send-and-disappear handoff of CVs.
04
Quality over volume
Considered, insight-led shortlists — not the largest possible pile of applications.
The problem
Most teams don't struggle to find applicants. They struggle to find a clear process to manage them — and the two usual alternatives both fall short.
Doing it yourself
High application volume, inconsistent shortlisting and constant pressure to move fast — all landing on an already time-poor team. It's a lot of work, and one rushed call can mean a costly bad hire.
Traditional agencies
Percentage-based fees tied to salary, a process you don't really see inside, and the same underlying risk — just outsourced. You pay for CV volume and a cut of the placement, not for care.
The solution
Efficient process management takes the pressure off time-poor, cost-sensitive teams. Five clear parts, every time.
Role definition
Agreeing what success really looks like.
Expert evaluation
Consistent screening against clear criteria.
Insight-led shortlists
A focused list, delivered with reasoning.
Organised interviews
Coordination handled so you stay focused.
Attentive comms
Respectful contact with every candidate.
A cost agreed upfront — for the process and the expertise, not a percentage of someone's salary.
Contingency agencies charge a percentage of the hire's salary, which quietly rewards speed and volume over careful evaluation. We do the opposite: one clear fee, scoped to the level of support you choose, entirely independent of what the role pays.
The Direct Way
Each search follows the same five staged steps — scaled to the level of support you choose.
Stage one
We define what success looks like together — the outcomes, the priorities and the kind of person who'll thrive — before the role reaches a single candidate.
Stage two
We craft the advert, publish it and manage applications live — keeping candidates informed throughout so your brand shows up well.
Stage three
Consistent CV review and screening conversations against the criteria we agreed — so the shortlist is backed by insight, not guesswork.
Stage four
A shortlist delivered with clear rationale, and interviews coordinated for you — leaving you free to focus on the conversations and the decision.
Stage five
We present the offer, keep the chosen candidate engaged before they start, and communicate respectfully with everyone — whatever the outcome.
Pricing
Three levels of support — pick how much of the process we manage. Every tier is a fixed fee, independent of the salary.
Defined
Structured support through to shortlist, for teams with interview capacity of their own.
Journey
Added evaluation support through to the hiring decision, with offer-stage guidance.
Lifecycle
End-to-end process ownership, from brief to a confident start.
Honest fit
We'd rather tell you honestly — even when the answer is "not us".
A good fit if you're…
Probably not us if you want…
What happens next
The first chat is simple and exploratory — we talk through the role, the challenges you're facing right now, and whether the Direct model actually fits. If it does, we'll recommend a level of support. If it doesn't, we'll say so. Either way, you leave with clarity.
No pitch, no pressure — just a conversation about what you're hiring for and whether we're the right fit.
FAQs
Herdsearch is a fixed-fee recruitment partner that manages the hiring process from role definition through to offer acceptance. Instead of charging a percentage of salary, we provide structured recruitment support so organisations can hire with clarity and predictable cost.
Traditional agencies typically charge a percentage of the placed candidate's salary, which can create pressure to fill roles quickly rather than carefully. Our fixed-fee model means the cost is agreed upfront and isn't tied to salary size, so our focus stays on finding the right person for the role, not the fastest or highest-value placement.
We work with SMEs, growing teams and organisations that want a structured, professional hiring process without the overhead of an in-house talent function. This includes businesses making their first dedicated hire in a role as well as established teams scaling up.
We support a wide range of roles across IT, sales, commercial, marketing, engineering, administration, operations, finance, HR, legal and customer service. If you're unsure whether a role is suitable, get in touch and we're always happy to talk it through.
Through our partnership levels, we support New Zealand-based hires. We also have experience recruiting globally, including across the UK and Europe, so if you have a role outside NZ, get in touch and we can talk through how we can support you there too.
Getting started is simple — reach out through the contact form or give us a call, and we'll set up a short conversation about the role, the challenges you're facing, and whether our approach is the right fit. From there we'll recommend the support level that makes the most sense for you.