recruitment guides
direct answers to the questions you ask before hiring: what it costs, who to call on, how to protect yourself. every figure cites its source.
how much does a recruitment agency cost?
Recruitment agency and headhunter fees in France: percentage of salary, flat fee, retainer or success fee, guarantees. Models compared, worked examples.
headhunter or recruitment agency: what is the difference?
Headhunter, recruitment agency or platform of independent headhunters: methods, target profiles, fees, and how to choose for your role in France.
headhunter fees: how do they work?
Retainer, instalments, exclusivity clauses: how a headhunter charges for a search in France, and what to check before you sign.
what fee percentage should you set, based on the role?
No official scale: the method for setting a recruitment fee percentage based on rarity, urgency and stakes, within the 5 to 30% Muzzo range.
success fee or retainer: which should you choose?
Success fee or retainer for hiring a manager or executive in France: differences, risks, and when each model makes sense.
replacement guarantee in recruitment: what to demand
Duration, cases covered, an executive's probation period under French law (articles L1221-19 and following): what to demand from a replacement guarantee.
how do you write a recruitment brief for an agency?
Writing a recruitment brief for an agency: duties, must-have criteria, real salary, timeline, decision-makers. Template and mistakes to avoid.
how long does it take to hire an executive in france?
Average time to hire an executive in France, per Apec data: 12 weeks, the gap by company size, and how to shorten the timeline.
how do you hire an executive confidentially?
How to hire an executive confidentially in France: direct approach, a discreet agency, internal confidentiality, non-disclosure agreements.
an executive's probation period in france: length, renewal, ending it
Legal length of an executive's probation period in France, renewal, notice periods to end it: the Code du travail rules, current as of 2026.
non-compete clauses and hiring: what employers in france must check
Validity conditions for a non-compete clause in France, financial compensation, risks for the hiring employer: the case law explained.
how do you evaluate a candidate put forward by an agency?
Tests, interviews, reference checks: how to make an objective decision on a candidate put forward by a recruitment agency or a headhunter.
counter-offers: how to plan for them when hiring an employed executive
An employed candidate may receive a counter-offer from their current employer. Warning signs, timing, the brief: how to protect your hire.
recruit in-house or outsource your hiring?
Time, network, confidentiality, urgency: the criteria for recruiting in-house or using a provider, in France, and how to combine both.
how do you choose a recruitment agency?
Specialisation, location, recommendations, guarantee: the criteria identified by Apec for choosing a recruitment agency suited to your SME.
hiring your first salesperson in an sme: where to start
Profile, fixed and variable pay, pipeline, brief: the method for hiring your first dedicated salesperson in a small or medium business.
what salary for a business developer?
Business developer salary in France: Apec pay ranges by age, region, company size and bonus, what drives pay up or down, FAQ and related roles.
what salary for an account executive?
Account executive salary in France: Apec pay ranges by age, region and bonus, what drives pay the most, FAQ and related sales roles.
what salary for a technico-commercial (technical sales rep)?
Technico-commercial (technical sales) salary in France: Apec pay ranges by age, region and management, what drives pay the most, FAQ.
what salary for a sales director (directeur commercial)?
Sales director salary in France: an €85k median according to Apec, with gaps by age, management scope, region and company size, plus FAQ.
what salary for a DevOps engineer?
DevOps engineer salary in France: Apec pay ranges by age, region and management, what drives pay the most, FAQ and related tech roles.
what salary for a data engineer?
Data engineer salary in France: a €54k median for Big Data executives according to Apec, with gaps by age, management, sector and region.
what's the salary of a management accountant in 2026?
How much does a management accountant earn in France? Apec ranges by age, line management, region and company size, and what moves this salary.
what's the salary of a CFO (DAF) in france in 2026?
How much does a CFO earn in France? Apec pay ranges by region, company size and line-management responsibility, with worked figures.
what's the salary of a finance and admin manager (RAF) in 2026?
How much does a finance and admin manager (RAF) earn in France? Apec pay ranges by company size, region and line-management responsibility.
what's the salary of an accountant in 2026?
How much does an accountant earn in France? Apec pay ranges, general accountant in-house or accounting associate at a firm, by age and region.
what's the salary of a site manager in 2026?
How much does a construction site manager earn in France? Apec pay ranges, variable pay, line management and company size, sourced figures.
what's the salary of an HR manager in 2026?
How much does an HR manager earn in France? Apec pay ranges by age, region, company size and line management, and what moves this salary.