A plain-English comparison to help HR heads pick the right engagement model — with a real cost example.
<p>Both RPO and contract staffing solve hiring problems, but they solve very different ones. Here is a practical way to decide.</p><h2>Choose RPO when</h2><p>You are hiring 25+ roles across quarters, want brand-consistent candidate experience, and need reporting on funnel metrics.</p><h2>Choose contract staffing when</h2><p>You have short-term projects, headcount freezes, or need to convert successful contractors to permanent roles later.</p><h2>Cost example</h2><p>For a 40-role annual mandate, a well-run RPO typically costs 30–40% less than paying per-hire fees to multiple agencies.</p>