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Recruiting firm or staffing agency: what is the difference?
Both can find you a remote professional. They differ in who that person works for, what you pay every month, and whose list the candidates come from.
Book your free consultation$0 to start · Free consultation
| RemoteVetted (recruiting firm) | Staffing agency | |
|---|---|---|
| Who the professional works for | You. You hire them directly | The agency, which assigns them to you |
| What you pay | Your professional's rate, paid to them, plus a one-time placement fee when you choose your hire | An hourly bill rate that includes the agency's markup, every month |
| What your professional earns | Everything you pay them | The bill rate minus the agency's margin |
| Where candidates come from | A search for your job description | Whoever is available on the agency's bench |
| Vetting | English and skills tests, recruiter interview, reference check, background check | Varies by agency |
| Who you interview | 4–6 curated finalists, one-on-one | Often one or two assigned people |
| If it doesn't work out | 12-month replacement guarantee: a new search | A swap from the bench |
| Contract | No long-term contracts | Often minimum terms and notice periods |
| Cost to start | $0 · free consultation | Often a setup fee or retainer |
The markup adds up
With a staffing agency, the hourly rate you pay is not what your professional earns. The difference is the agency's margin, and it is charged on every hour for as long as the person works for you. Over a year of full-time work, that margin is usually the largest cost of the arrangement.
With a recruiting firm you pay for the search once. After that, every dollar you pay goes to the person doing the work.
Direct hires stay longer
A professional who is paid their full rate, by the business they work for, has a reason to stay and grow in the role. They are part of your team, in your tools and your meetings, with no account manager in between.
When a staffing agency makes sense
If you need many seats filled at once for a short project, or you want someone else to carry payroll and management entirely, an agency is built for that. If you want one or a few people who become part of your business for years, hire them directly.
How it works
From first call to first day
- 1
Free consultation
Tell us about your business and the help you need. $0 to start.
- 2
Build the job description
Your dedicated hiring manager turns your needs into a clear role.
- 3
Tailored search
We recruit for your role and present 4–6 curated candidates within one week.
- 4
Interview your favorites
Meet your candidates one-on-one. Your hiring manager can join to help you compare.
- 5
Hire with confidence
Pick your professional, pay them directly, and you're covered for 12 months.
FAQ
Questions and answers
Is RemoteVetted a staffing agency?
No. We are a recruiting firm: we run the search and the vetting, you hire your professional directly and pay them directly.
When do I pay the placement fee?
Only when you choose your hire. The fee is quoted on your free consultation.
Who handles paying my professional?
You do, directly. After you choose, we show you the simple ways US businesses pay international contractors and help you get started well.