True Cost of Using a Recruitment Agency The Truth vs The Myths!

The Real Cost of Using a Recruitment Agency: Myths vs. Reality

There’s plenty of talk in the veterinary world right now about recruitment fees:

“Recruitment agencies are too expensive.”
“Job boards are much cheaper.”
“It’s better to advertise and handle hiring ourselves.”

So, let’s break down what’s true, what’s myth, and what you really get for your money.

📈 Have Fees Really Gone Up?

In short… no (if anything, we’ve seen prices come down since 2024).

At Tempus Veterinary Recruitment, our fees remain consistent, fair, and transparent. For example:

• If you hire a vet with a salary of £50,000 per year, our fee is only £7,500 (we work on a 15% fee model).

For locum placements:

• £35 per day for Vets

• £25 per day for RVNs

• +£5 per day if working nights

By comparison, the average veterinary recruitment agency charges between 15%–25% of the candidate’s annual salary for permanent hires — so typically £7,500–£12,500 on a £50,000 role — and locum charge rates can vary widely from agency to agency, often without clear breakdowns.

With Tempus Veterinary Recruitment, you know exactly what you’re paying, with no hidden extras.

✅ Refund Periods: Do They Exist?

Many people think once you pay, the money is gone but with us, that’s NOT the case.

At Tempus Veterinary Recruitment, we offer 100% protection for up to three months. If your new hire doesn’t work out in that time, you get all your money back. No arguments, no stress, just peace of mind.

It’s worth knowing that most recruitment agencies do not offer a full refund guarantee. Instead, they usually operate on a sliding scale, for example:

• 0–4 weeks: 100% refund

• 4–8 weeks: 50% refund

• 8–12 weeks: 25% refund

This means that the longer the candidate stays before leaving, the less you get back and often nothing at all after three months.

With Tempus, it’s simple: you’re protected in full for the entire three-month period.

💻 What About Advertising It Yourself?

Here’s what veterinary job boards cost right now:

At first glance, posting an advert seems cheaper than an agency fee. But here’s what many practices forget:

1️⃣ You might not get any applications. Once the ad expires, you pay to repost.

2️⃣ You might get applicants — but are they qualified? You or your team have to screen CVs, make calls, and interview, which takes time away from your practice and patients.

3️⃣ You handle all checks yourself. This includes reference checks, understanding what else the candidate is considering, and arranging interviews.

4️⃣ Candidates are often more open and honest with recruiters. We know where else they’re interviewing, what offers they have, and how to secure them for your practice.

5️⃣ If you do hire, there’s no safety net. If the candidate leaves or doesn’t work out, the money you spent on advertising and the time invested are both lost — and you start over from scratch with all the same costs.

⚡ The True Value of a Recruitment Agency

When you work with Tempus Veterinary Recruitment, you get more than just CVs:

✅ We find and qualify candidates, saving you time.
✅ We ensure candidates are qualified and registered.
✅ We help you make a competitive offer candidates will accept — improving your chances of securing the talent you want!
✅ We provide a full refund guarantee — so you’re protected.
✅ We do the legwork, so you can focus on what really matters: your patients and your team.

Final Thoughts

Working with a job board might seem cheaper up front — but the hidden costs of time, energy, and risk can add up fast.

With Tempus Veterinary Recruitment, you get transparent pricing, a fair fee, and complete peace of mind that if your new hire doesn’t work out, you won’t lose out financially.

If you’d like to talk about how we can help you hire better, faster, and more safely — get in touch today.