Travel recruitment cost and timeline
Travel recruitment in India is usually priced either as a percentage of annual salary or as a flat fee per candidate who joins. A per-candidate model with volume slabs is more predictable for high volume sales and support hiring, because cost does not rise with the salary you offer.
The two pricing models
Understand what each one incentivises before you sign.
| Model | How it works | What it incentivises |
|---|---|---|
| Percentage of CTC | A share of the candidate's annual salary | Pushing higher salaries, since the fee rises with them |
| Flat fee per joiner | A fixed amount per candidate who joins, with volume slabs | Volume and fit, since the fee is independent of the offer |
| Retainer | Paid upfront regardless of outcome | Suitable only for genuinely senior or scarce mandates |
A realistic hiring timeline
For a standard sales, operations or support mandate in Tier 1 India.
| Stage | Typical time |
|---|---|
| Brief and role calibration | Day 1 |
| First screened shortlist | Day 3 to 5 |
| Client interviews | Week 2 |
| Offer and acceptance | Week 2 to 3 |
| Joining, allowing for notice | Week 3 to 8 |
Where timelines actually slip
Almost never at sourcing. Slippage comes from slow interview scheduling on the client side, offers made below the market band, and counter-offers during a long notice period.
- Keep interview slots pre-blocked for the mandate
- Benchmark the offer against the band before you make it
- Stay in contact with the candidate through notice, not just until acceptance
What a replacement window should cover
A serious recruiter replaces rather than re-bills when a hire drops early. Confirm the window length, whether it covers resignation as well as termination, and how many replacements are included.
Frequently asked questions
What is the standard recruitment fee in India?
Agency fees are commonly 8 to 12 percent of annual CTC. A flat per-joiner fee with volume slabs is often cheaper for high volume travel sales and support hiring.
Do you charge if the candidate does not join?
No. The fee is payable on joining only.
How fast can you fill a travel sales role?
First shortlists typically land within a few working days because we hold a live travel-only candidate pool.
Is there a replacement guarantee?
Yes, every placement carries a replacement window rather than a repeat fee.