The True Cost of Indeed: Kick Recruitment’s Guide to Recruiting Effectively
Indeed is undoubtedly one of the best-known recruitment platforms, not just here in the UK, but internationally.
The question is: is Indeed really as affordable as people think? And is it always the most effective recruitment solution?
When advertising costs and the time your team spends managing recruitment are taken into account, the true cost of filling a vacancy yourself can quickly run into thousands of pounds.
As a recruitment agency recruiting for both part-time and full-time positions, one of the most common objections we hear from clients is:
“Indeed is cheaper.”
But is it?
In this blog, we look at some of the less obvious costs associated with recruiting through a job board and explain why working with Kick Recruitment could be a more effective and less costly option for your business.
Job Listings
Indeed doesn't have a single fixed UK price for advertising a job. Employers can advertise some vacancies for free, while Sponsored Jobs involve additional advertising spend to increase visibility and attract candidates.
But the cost of the advert itself is only part of the equation.
Someone within your business still needs to write the vacancy, publish it, monitor its performance and manage the applications. If you want to promote the vacancy elsewhere, you'll also need to spend additional time or money advertising it across other channels.
With Kick Recruitment, we take care of this for you.
We create your job listing and promote the vacancy across a range of relevant channels, including job boards, social media and our own website.
And the best bit?
If we don't successfully recruit for you, there is no recruitment fee.
Viewing Applications
Once your vacancy starts receiving applications, someone has to go through them.
And more applications don't necessarily mean more suitable candidates.
You may receive applications from people who don't have the required experience, aren't based within a suitable travelling distance, don't meet the essential criteria or simply aren't the right fit for your business.
Reviewing CV after CV takes valuable time away from running your business.
Kick Recruitment takes that off your hands.
Our team has experience within the sectors we recruit for, meaning we understand what to look for in a candidate.
We also take the time to understand your business, its culture, goals and requirements before introducing candidates. Our aim isn't simply to fill a vacancy — it's to create a connection that works for both the employer and the candidate.
Shortlisting Candidates
Finding a promising CV is only the beginning.
You'll then need to contact candidates, carry out initial screening, establish their suitability, shortlist applicants, arrange interviews and conduct those interviews.
All of this takes time.
Kick does the screening and shortlisting for you.
We present suitable candidates through our dedicated client portal, where you can view candidate information, score applicants, leave feedback for our team and request an interview.
We'll then liaise with the candidate and arrange the interview on your behalf.
That means less back-and-forth communication, less administration and more time for you to focus on your business.
Chasing Candidates and Completing Checks
You've found the right person. Great!
But the administration isn't finished yet.
There can still be references to obtain, Right to Work documentation to check and other pre-employment information to organise.
You may have guessed it by now...
Kick Recruitment helps with this too.
We use a trusted platform to complete Right to Work checks on behalf of our clients at no additional cost, and we obtain references for our candidates before presenting them to you.
It's another job off your to-do list.
The Benefits You Don't Get From a Job Board
You could still argue that advertising a vacancy yourself appears cheaper than paying a recruitment agency fee.
But it's important to compare like for like.
Indeed is fundamentally a platform that connects employers with potential applicants. Your business is still responsible for much of the recruitment process.
With Kick Recruitment, you're paying for a recruitment service.
We advertise, search, headhunt, screen, shortlist, communicate with candidates, arrange interviews, obtain references and support you throughout the recruitment process.
There's another important difference too.
If you recruit someone yourself and they leave shortly afterwards, you could find yourself back at square one — advertising the vacancy and starting the recruitment process again.
At Kick Recruitment, we offer our three-month replacement promise. If your successful candidate leaves or doesn't successfully complete their probation during the agreed period, we'll work to find you a replacement without an additional recruitment fee, subject to our terms.
What Could Recruiting Through Indeed Really Cost?
The cost of recruiting yourself isn't always obvious. The job advert is only one part of the process. Once you factor in the time your team spends managing the vacancy, reviewing applications, screening candidates and arranging interviews, the true cost can quickly add up.
Here is an illustrative example of what recruiting for just one vacancy could cost your business:
Recruitment CostPotential CostSponsored job advertising£500–£1,500Manager/HR time writing and managing the advert£200–£500Reviewing applications and CVs£500–£1,000Screening candidates and making initial calls£300–£750Arranging and conducting interviews£500–£1,000Candidate administration and follow-ups£200–£500Potential Total Cost£2,200–£5,250
And that's for one vacancy.
If the successful candidate leaves shortly after starting, you could find yourself paying for advertising and committing valuable staff time to the recruitment process all over again.
What Do You Get With Kick Recruitment?
With Kick Recruitment, we take care of the time-consuming parts of the recruitment process for you.
Advertising • Candidate Search • Headhunting • CV Screening • Candidate Screening • Shortlisting • Interview Arrangements • References • Right to Work Checks • Ongoing Support • Three-Month Replacement Promise
And most importantly:
No successful recruitment = no recruitment fee.
So, before deciding that Indeed is the cheaper option, ask yourself: What is recruiting internally really costing your business?
Spend less time recruiting. Spend more time running your business.
Come to Kick Recruitment.
We create connections that last.
