Recruitment Agreement Template: Hiring Services and Fees

RECRUITMENT AGREEMENT TEMPLATE FAQ

What is a recruitment agreement?

A recruitment agreement is a written contract between a client and a recruiter or staffing agency that explains the hiring services to be provided. It usually covers the types of roles being filled, candidate sourcing, submission procedures, fees, replacement terms, and the responsibilities of both sides. It helps set clear expectations before recruiting work begins.

Why do you need a recruitment agreement?

You need a recruitment agreement to clearly define the hiring relationship and reduce misunderstandings. It helps explain what positions are covered, how candidates will be introduced, when placement fees are earned, and what happens if a candidate leaves shortly after being hired. A written agreement also helps with recordkeeping, approvals, and payment terms.

When should you use a recruitment agreement?

Use a recruitment agreement when a company hires a recruiter, headhunter, or staffing agency to help identify, screen, and refer candidates for employment or contract roles. It is commonly used for direct-hire recruiting, executive search, contingency recruiting, retained search, and specialized hiring support.

How to write a recruitment agreement?

Start with the names of the client and recruiter, then describe the recruiting services and the positions covered. After that, include candidate submission rules, fee structure, payment timing, replacement terms, confidentiality obligations, and compliance expectations. Finish with termination rights, governing law, and signatures so the agreement is clear and ready to use.

Can AI Lawyer help if hiring managers, recruiters, and finance teams all need to review?

AI Lawyer can help by organizing the agreement into clear sections so each reviewer can find the relevant details quickly. It can also add internal reference fields, placement notes, and placeholders that make updates easier to track. A consistent structure helps reduce repeated edits and lowers the chance of missing key details like fee triggers, candidate ownership periods, replacement terms, or invoice dates before the agreement is signed.