What founders should optimize for
- Constraint-first role definition (not title-first)
- Proof before the interview (role-specific work you can inspect)
- Short shortlist, not 40 profiles
- Clear commercial risk (pay when you hire, replacement window)
- Dedicated hire you manage — not a rotating agency seat
How to evaluate any agency
- Do they redefine the role from the bottleneck?
- Do finalists complete paid/real work samples?
- Can they show a funnel (applied → presented → hired)?
- Regions and roles they actually place?
- Replacement terms in plain language?
Where Talented fits
Talented is proof-first international recruiting for founder-led businesses. We source across the Philippines, South Africa, and Latin America. Example EA search: 620 → 26 → 8 → 3 → 1 hired in 14 days. Pay when you hire. 90-day replacement.
Honest scope
We are not a Fortune 500 retained search firm and not an EOR. If you only need payroll in another country, use an EOR. If you need someone who can already do the work, use proof-first placement.
FAQ
Embedded recruiters vs proof-first placement?
Embedded helps you hire locally/fast; proof-first is built for international dedicated hires with evidence up front.
How fast?
14-day shortlist target.
Cost model?
One-time placement fee; you pay the hire directly.