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Zydeby Work vs. Recruiters and staffing agencies
Recruiters and staffing agencies: firms that find and screen candidates for a fee. Here's what the two have in common, where they differ, and when Recruiters and staffing agencies is the better choice.
What they have in common
Pay on a hire
Contingency recruiters and we both get paid only when someone is hired.
A replacement promise
Recruiters typically offer a guarantee period; we refund the fee if the hire leaves within 30 days.
Where they differ
A much smaller fee
Our hire fee is 1% of the typical salary for the role in your state, compared with the double-digit percentages recruiters typically charge.
Blind, structured, tested
Candidates are compared on the same questions and decided on before names and photos, and the matching is tested for fairness by group.
No middle person
You meet the candidate directly, and the candidate meets the manager they'd report to.
Row by row
| Item | Recruiters and staffing agencies | Zydeby Work |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | A person or firm sources, screens and presents candidates | Blind, one-at-a-time matching for hiring, project work and networking, ending in an in-person meetup |
| How you find people | The recruiter searches their network and databases | One match at a time, picked for fit both ways |
| What the other side sees first | Résumés, the recruiter's notes and interviews | Fit labels, experience and vouch counts. No name, photo, age or gender until both say yes |
| Before you meet | Through the recruiter | No chat. Both decide privately; the meetup is planned with taps |
| Meeting in person | Interviews arranged by the recruiter | Every match ends in an in-person meetup with a short activity |
| Cost | Contingency fees typically 15%–25% of first-year salary; retained search 25%–35%; temp and contract staffing marked up on hourly pay; guarantee periods typically 60–90 days | Free for members. Employers pay 1% of typical salary on a confirmed hire; projects $99–$1,999 on award |
When Recruiters and staffing agencies is the better choice
For a hard-to-fill executive search, a confidential replacement, or when you want someone to do the whole search for you, a good recruiter earns their fee.
Sources
- Contingency, retained and staffing fee ranges; guarantee periods: RecruitBPM, "How Much Does a Recruiter Cost in 2026?", published May 2, 2026.
Details about other services are as of November 2026, from the sources above, and may have changed. Prices vary by plan, chapter and location. All names are trademarks of their owners. Zydeby Work is not affiliated with any of them.
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