Glossary
What is embedded recruitment?
Embedded recruitment is an arrangement in which a recruiter works inside a company for a fixed period, usually for a monthly fee, running its hiring as a member of the team rather than charging per placement.
It suits companies hiring several roles at once, typically after a funding round, where per-placement fees would be expensive and an in-house recruiter would take months to hire and ramp. The embedded recruiter uses the company email, attends stand-ups and owns the pipeline.
Embedded recruitment is often grouped with RPO, recruitment process outsourcing, which is the same idea at larger scale with a team and process rather than one person. The founder-led version means a founder of the agency does the embedded work, not a junior consultant.
What is the difference between embedded recruitment and RPO?
Scale and shape. Embedded recruitment usually places one experienced recruiter inside a team for a few months. RPO outsources the whole recruitment function, with a team, tooling and process, for a longer term. For a startup hiring five to fifteen roles, embedded is the common fit.
How long does an embedded engagement usually last?
Three to six months is typical, matching a post-funding hiring plan. Engagements are agreed for a fixed period and extended if the plan grows.