Why I’m Growing More Allergic to “Guarantees” in Hiring 🤧
TJ Kastning
There’s a reason the “guarantee” became a norm in recruiting.
And it has nothing to do with quality.
It started when contingent recruiters needed a way to compete with the trust and process depth of retained firms. So, they slapped on a shiny promise:
“If the hire doesn’t work out, we’ll replace them—for free.”
It was a sales tool.
Not a sign of superior care.
Not a solution to hiring risk.
And after years in this work, I’m increasingly allergic to it.
Guarantees Look Like Certainty—But They’re Not 🔮
Hiring is complex, human, and situational. Yet guarantees sell a comforting idea:
✅ We’ve got everything covered
✅ You can outsource risk to us
✅ There’s no downside
That story sells. But it’s not true.
And our experience? It tells us this:
The longer the guarantee period, the less likely it is to be honored.
We’ve seen 6-month, 12-month, even “lifetime” guarantees… where no one answers the phone when things go sideways.
These offers often come from firms that don’t have the margin, capacity, or commitment to make good on their promises. They’re betting you won’t follow up—or that by the time something fails, it’ll be easier to start over than to chase them down.
Guarantees Can Actually Hide Inexperience ⚠️
Here’s what you should really watch out for:
Recruiters who claim they have everything under control.
Because no one does.
And those who pretend otherwise? They’re not acknowledging:
- People evolve
- Work environments shift
- Project scopes change
- Miscommunication happens
- Cultural nuances matter
If they don’t know what they can’t control, then they also don’t know how to manage risk. That’s dangerous.
It’s not experience talking.
It’s ego.
Real Risk Management Requires Humility and Process 🧩
At Ambassador Group, we don’t eliminate risk—we help you manage it.
That means:
✅ Being honest about the role’s complexity
✅ Mapping out a real interview strategy
✅ Facilitating feedback, reference checks, and assessments
✅ Providing support before, during, and after the hire
✅ Staying in contact for 6–12 months post-placement to track success
It’s not flashy.
It’s not guaranteed.
But it works—because it’s grounded in people, not promises.
Our Process > Empty Promises 🛠️
We’re retained recruiters for a reason:
We’re here to think deeply, show up consistently, and earn long-term trust.
We don’t sell backup plans.
We build hiring strategies that work the first time—because they’re built with care.
And if something needs adjusting?
We’re already in the loop. Already in communication. Already working with you.
No chasing. No disappearing. No fine print.
Three Red Flags to Watch Out For 🚩
When talking to any recruiter, keep an eye out for:
1️⃣ Long guarantees without detail
If they promise a 12-month guarantee, ask them how often they’ve honored it.
2️⃣ “Risk-free” language
Recruiters who oversell confidence often under-deliver nuance.
3️⃣ Silence on onboarding and retention
If they disappear once the offer is signed, they were never in it with you to begin with.
Hiring Is Human. Treat It That Way. 🤝
You’re not buying equipment. You’re building a team.
That means you need:
- Process, not platitudes
- Communication, not convenience
- Support, not shortcuts
That’s what we offer. And we think you’ll notice the difference right away.
Let’s Talk About Building a Smarter Hiring Process 🔧
If you’re tired of empty promises and ready for a recruiting partner who treats hiring like the dynamic, human process it is—we should talk.
Here’s our 3-step exploratory process:
1️⃣ We evaluate your hiring context, challenges, and past patterns
2️⃣ We walk through how our process is built to reduce risk
3️⃣ We decide together if we’re the right fit for your business
Book an exploratory call here:
👉 https://app.reclaim.ai/m/ambassador-group/exploratory-call
Guarantees fade. But trust and attentiveness?
Those compound over time.
We’re in it for the long haul—and we’d love to work with people who are too. 💪
