How we work
Good recruitment starts before anyone is approached.
We get clear on the role, the market, the compensation and what good actually looks like — then run the search properly from there.
CherryPeople is founder-led. The person you brief is the person doing the work.
There isn’t a handover from business development to another recruiter.
Joe takes the brief, maps the market, approaches candidates, screens them and stays close to the process through to placement.
Every search is led directly by founder Joe Ryan, who has recruited across SaaS and technology since 2018.
The search
We get clear on the role, scope, compensation, market and what good actually looks like before taking the brief out.
We identify the relevant talent market and the people already doing comparable work — not just the people actively applying for jobs.
We approach candidates directly and give them a real reason to engage with the opportunity. We don't just post an advert and wait.
Candidates are screened against the actual brief, with evidence gathered around relevant experience, performance, capability, motivation and practical fit.
We stay close to both sides through interviews, feedback, market response, compensation conversations and any changes to the search.
We manage the process through offer, counter-offer risk and signed contract.
Engagement models
Different hiring needs call for different approaches. Choose the level of search support that fits what you’re building.
01
Contingent Recruitment
Individual search
Best suited to
Individual or occasional GTM hires where you want specialist external search support without an upfront commitment.
Key points
Placement protection
12-week replacement guarantee
Standard replacement protection on successful placements, subject to CherryPeople's Terms of Business.
02
Retained & Exclusive Search
Critical search
Best suited to
Senior, difficult, confidential, revenue-critical or strategically important hires where comprehensive market coverage matters.
Key points
Placement protection
26-week replacement guarantee
Extended replacement protection reflects the greater mutual commitment of an exclusive search, subject to CherryPeople's Terms of Business.
Most popular
03
CherryPeople Partner
Ongoing hiring programme
Best suited to
SaaS businesses making multiple hires, building teams, entering new markets or wanting ongoing support around their GTM talent strategy.
Key points
Placement protection
Bespoke Partner Protection
Replacement protection is structured around the scope and duration of the hiring programme.
Whichever way we work together, the fundamentals don’t change.
The partnership
The best searches work when we’re straight with each other about what’s realistic — on the role, the compensation and how the market is responding.
We stay close after placement with monthly check-ins through the candidate’s first three months.
It gives both sides another line of communication while the hire settles in and helps surface anything worth addressing early.
Tell us what you’re hiring for and what you’re trying to build. We’ll give you a straight view on the market and recommend the way of working that makes sense — including telling you when Contingent is enough.
