Pay-Per-Slate (PPS) recruiting is a model where employers pay a fee to receive a pre-vetted “slate” (or shortlist) of qualified candidates rather than paying per job post or per hire. This method allows companies to streamline their hiring process by only engaging with top candidates, reducing time spent on sourcing and screening.
How It Works
- Employer Submits Job Requirements – The company provides a detailed job description, qualifications, and other hiring criteria.
- Recruiting Firm Sources & Screens Candidates – The recruiter pre-screens candidates based on the employer’s needs.
- Employer Receives a Curated Slate – The recruiter delivers a shortlist of the most qualified candidates (e.g., 3–5 per role).
- Employer Pays for the Slate – Instead of paying per job post or per hire, the employer pays for access to the pre-vetted slate of candidates.
- Employer Conducts Final Interviews & Selects – The company chooses from the slate and moves forward with hiring.
Three Examples of Pay-Per-Slate Recruiting
- Sales Recruiting Agency
- A tech company needs three enterprise sales reps.
- They pay a recruiting firm $2,500 per slate of five candidates.
- The recruiter screens and delivers the best five candidates per slate, allowing the company to make a hiring decision quickly.
- Healthcare Staffing
- A hospital needs a registered nurse for an ICU position.
- They pay $3,000 for a slate of five fully credentialed and background-checked nurses.
- The hospital selects from the slate and hires within a week, reducing time-to-fill.
- Startup Executive Search
- A startup needs a VP of Marketing but doesn’t want to pay a traditional 20%–30% recruiter commission.
- They pay a flat $5,000 per slate of three highly qualified executive candidates.
- They interview and choose the best fit without a long-term recruiting contract.
Pricing Structure
This model is ideal for companies looking to reduce upfront recruiting costs while still accessing high-quality talent.
- Basic Slate (3 candidates) – $500
- Premium Slate (5 candidates) – $1,000
- Executive Slate (5 candidates with in-depth vetting/interviews) – $2,500
Why This Model Works for Employers
✔ Lower Upfront Cost – No large recruiter fees, just a flat fee per slate.
✔ Faster Hiring – Pre-vetted candidates reduce time spent on screening.
✔ Better Candidate Quality – Only qualified candidates make the slate.
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