Sales & Marketing Staffing & Recruiting Agency

How do fees work for employers?

Direct hire is success-based: you pay a percentage of first-year base salary (typically 20–30% in the North American market), invoiced only when your hire starts, and backed by our 90-day replacement guarantee. Executive search is retained, usually 25–35% of first-year compensation with an engagement fee. Contract staffing is one all-in hourly bill rate covering the contractor's pay, payroll taxes, workers' comp, and insurance. Contract-to-hire conversions use a declining fee schedule.

How fast can you share a shortlist?

For most professional roles, expect a shortlist of vetted candidates in 3–5 business days. Contract roles often move faster — sometimes within 48 hours. Executive searches run deeper on research and typically present a full slate within a few weeks. Your account manager commits to a date at kickoff and reports progress against it.

Am I a W-2 employee or a 1099 contractor on contract assignments?

You're a W-2 employee of Harbor Recruitment (or the Canadian equivalent, with full source deductions) while on assignment. That means taxes are withheld from each paycheck, you're covered by workers' compensation and unemployment insurance, and you're paid weekly. We don't place workers as 1099 independent contractors for standard assignments.

See all frequently asked questions →