Hire FinTech Developers: Our Experience

Ani Gasparyan

GuideHiringIT Recruitment

• The embedded recruitment model is designed to improve hiring efficiency by integrating external recruiters directly into your team.
• This guide explores the embedded recruitment model, highlighting its advantages and how it addresses the challenges of traditional hiring methods.

The embedded recruitment model is reshaping the hiring landscape, helping businesses attract and retain top talent more efficiently. Unlike traditional recruitment, where external agencies work independently, embedded recruiters integrate directly into a company’s team, aligning with its culture, goals, and hiring needs. Instead of operating at a distance, they work alongside your internal staff, participate in meetings, and follow your hiring workflows, essentially acting as in-house team members. This approach fosters better collaboration, faster hiring, and improved candidate retention.

The hiring gap in the technology sector continues to widen, particularly for roles such as software engineers, data scientists, and cybersecurity specialists. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment in computer and information technology occupations is projected to grow by 14.6% between 2021 and 2031, well above the national average. A 2024 Gartner report found that 73% of human resources leaders identify attracting qualified candidates as their most urgent recruitment challenge.

These figures point to increasing pressure on companies to compete for a limited pool of specialized talent, a challenge that traditional recruitment methods often struggle to meet. In contrast, embedded recruitment offers a more agile and integrated approach, helping companies move faster and hire more effectively in this competitive environment.

This guide outlines how the model works, compares it with traditional recruitment, and explores its main advantages and possible limitations to help you assess its relevance for your organization.

What is embedded recruitment, and how does it work?

Embedded recruitment involves placing a recruiter directly within a company’s internal team for a set period, typically ranging from 3 to 12 months. Instead of working from the outside like a traditional agency, the recruiter joins daily operations, participates in team meetings, uses the company’s systems, and works closely with hiring managers. They operate as an extension of the internal team, working within the same systems and collaborating daily with staff.

This setup is beneficial during periods of rapid growth, high-volume hiring, organizational changes, or when building out a new department. It also suits companies that lack a dedicated recruitment function or need additional support for a defined hiring phase.

Key aspects of embedded recruitment include:

• A recruiter working as part of your internal team, either on-site or remotely
• Close collaboration with hiring managers to improve hiring processes and candidate experience
• A focus on longer-term hiring needs rather than one-off placements

Instead of paying per hire, companies pay for the recruiter’s involvement over a fixed time period. The level of support can be adjusted based on current hiring needs without requiring long-term commitment.

One of the key strengths of this model is its real-time talent pipeline. Candidate databases are continuously updated, providing quick access to pre-vetted professionals who match the company’s culture and goals.

Steps in a typical embedded recruitment process

Unlike traditional recruitment, where agencies work independently and are paid per hire, embedded recruitment places a recruiter within your internal team for a set period. This approach allows for closer collaboration, clearer communication, and stronger alignment with your company’s goals and culture. It is particularly useful during periods of rapid growth, team restructuring, or when building out new departments. The steps outlined below describe the typical process.

1. Initial consultation and planning

The process begins with a thorough understanding of the company’s hiring needs, culture, and objectives. Embedded recruitment partners work closely with leadership and HR teams to align on recruitment goals, timelines, and the skills required.

2. Integration with internal teams

External recruiters become part of the company’s internal teams, often working on-site or virtually. They familiarize themselves with the company’s culture, values, and internal processes, ensuring seamless alignment with organizational objectives.

3. Creating a tailored recruitment strategy

Embedded recruiters collaborate with hiring managers to develop a customized recruitment strategy. This strategy focuses on attracting the right candidates using methods such as employee referrals, social media, and job boards tailored to the company’s specific needs.

4. Sourcing and identifying qualified candidates

The recruitment team actively searches for and identifies candidates who align with the company’s culture and values. This is done through multiple channels, including job boards, LinkedIn, networking, and referrals, helping to build a diverse talent pool.

5. Candidate screening and shortlisting

Once potential candidates are identified, embedded recruiters review resumes, conduct interviews, and assess cultural fit. The goal is to confirm that shortlisted candidates meet the technical requirements and align well with the company’s work environment.

6. Interviews and selection

Shortlisted candidates are presented to hiring managers, and embedded recruiters coordinate the interview process. They work closely with the team to gather feedback, fine-tune selection criteria, and maintain an efficient process.

After a candidate is selected, embedded recruiters assist in negotiating job offers, making sure both the company and the candidate are satisfied with the terms. They also support the onboarding process, helping the new hire transition smoothly into the company.

Comparing embedded recruitment to traditional methods

Embedded recruitment offers a more integrated and collaborative approach compared to traditional hiring methods.

Embedded external recruiters combine up-to-date market intelligence, such as salary benchmarks, competitor hiring trends, and role demand, with firsthand knowledge of internal workflows, team structure, and cultural expectations.

This dual perspective enables more accurate role scoping, faster hiring cycles, and better long-term fits for the organization. In contrast, agency recruitment relies on external recruiters who may not have the same level of insight into the company, which can lead to misalignment. Embedded recruiters, on the other hand, work closely with hiring managers, resulting in a more tailored and cohesive recruitment process.

Consider a case where a company uses an external agency to fill several technical roles. While the candidates might meet the technical requirements, limited exposure to team dynamics often results in mismatches. In contrast, an embedded recruiter works closely with hiring managers, participates in regular team interactions, and has direct access to internal communication channels. This ongoing presence allows them to quickly pick up on team expectations, collaboration styles, and role nuances,leading to more accurate job profiles and better alignment in the hiring process. As a result, candidates are more likely to integrate smoothly and stay longer.

While outsourcing models like Recruitment Process Outsourcing (RPO) delegate recruitment tasks to external providers, embedded recruitment integrates these external experts into the company’s daily operations.

This approach provides flexibility, ongoing support, and a focus on long-term cultural fit. Let’s take a look at the table below for a more detailed comparison.

Benefits of embedded recruitment

Embedded recruitment offers a dynamic and collaborative approach to talent acquisition, blending the strengths of external expertise with the internal insights of a company. Now, let’s explore the key benefits that make embedded recruitment an attractive option for companies seeking to streamline their recruitment efforts.

Financial efficiency

Embedded recruitment partners typically work on a fixed monthly fee, which allows for predictable budgeting. This avoids the high per-hire costs often associated with contingency-based models and is more sustainable for ongoing recruitment needs.

Rapid deployment

Embedded recruitment partners can often begin within one to two weeks. This quick start is useful for companies facing growth or restructuring, where hiring timelines are short and internal capacity is limited.

Specialized talent acquisition

This model is well-suited for hiring in niche areas, as embedded recruiters bring market knowledge and focused attention to each role. Even when hiring is not urgent, they can build and maintain a pipeline of qualified candidates for complex positions.

Improved efficiency

Embedded recruiters work closely with hiring managers and HR staff, which improves communication and shortens feedback loops. This alignment leads to faster decision-making and fewer delays in the hiring process.

Higher quality hires and retention

Candidates who fit the company culture are more likely to perform well and stay longer. This reduces the risk of early turnover and lowers the long-term cost of recruitment.

When it works for senior positions

Senior-level roles require a thoughtful approach to both skill and cultural fit. While executive search firms are often chosen for C-suite placements, embedded recruiters can also be effective for senior hires, especially when they are integrated with company leadership, included early in the planning process, and supported by clear internal alignment. Their ongoing presence helps them evaluate not only a candidate’s qualifications but also leadership style, communication preferences, and compatibility with the broader team over time.

Scalable and flexible

The embedded model allows companies to adjust the level of recruitment support based on actual demand. This makes it suitable for organizations with changing priorities, project-based hiring, or seasonal spikes.

Challenges of embedded recruitment

While embedded recruitment offers numerous advantages, it’s important to acknowledge that no recruitment model is without its challenges. As businesses adopt this approach, they may face issues such as dependency on external teams or potential cultural misalignment. Let’s take a closer look at some of the common challenges businesses may encounter when integrating embedded recruitment into their hiring strategy.

Dependency on external teams

Relying on external recruiters can create a dependency on outside expertise, potentially weakening internal recruitment capabilities. This can be addressed by fostering deeper collaboration and encouraging knowledge transfer between external and internal teams.

Cultural misalignment

External recruiters often have limited insight into how teams work and interact, which can lead to cultural mismatches. Embedded recruiters, on the other hand, are part of the company’s daily routines. They attend team meetings, communicate regularly with hiring managers, and use the same internal tools. This involvement gives them a clear view of how decisions are made and how teams collaborate. With this context, they can identify candidates who not only meet the role’s requirements but also align with how the team functions in practice. While cultural misalignment can be a concern in traditional external recruitment, embedded recruiters’ close collaboration with leadership gives them a better context to evaluate senior candidates beyond the resume.

Cost concerns for smaller businesses

The fixed-cost model may be a significant investment for smaller companies or startups. To manage this, smaller businesses can explore customized, scaled-down solutions that offer flexibility without compromising on quality or expertise.

While embedded recruitment can present challenges, they can often be overcome with the right strategies. Partnering with the right expert, such as DevsData LLC, can make all the difference. With their extensive experience and customized approach, DevsData LLC is well-equipped to help you navigate these obstacles effectively.

How DevsData LLC can help your business with embedded recruitment

DevsData LLC, a leading IT recruitment agency with over 8 years of experience, excels in connecting businesses with top-tier tech talent. Through its embedded recruitment model, DevsData LLC offers strategic support by integrating dedicated recruiters directly into your in-house team. This approach provides a collaborative recruitment process that aligns with your company’s culture, goals, and hiring needs.

DevsData LLC applies the embedded recruitment model to help companies strengthen their hiring efforts from within. Instead of operating externally, their recruiters work directly with internal teams, gaining a clear understanding of the company’s culture, goals, and workflows. This approach allows DevsData LLC’s embedded recruiters to manage the entire hiring process on-site or remotely, from sourcing to onboarding, while supporting long-term recruitment strategies. By combining industry expertise with day-to-day collaboration, they help streamline hiring operations, reduce time-to-fill, and improve the overall quality of hires.

With 5/5 client satisfaction ratings on Clutch and GoodFirms, DevsData LLC is recognized for providing high-quality recruitment services. Their embedded recruitment process is thorough and effective, supported by a global network of over 65,000 pre-screened professionals and a team of 40 experienced recruiters based in the US and Europe. This team conducts comprehensive technical interviews and skills assessments, ensuring the best match for your organization’s needs. Additionally, DevsData LLC offers a guarantee period, during which any replacement is provided at no extra fee, giving clients confidence in the quality and longevity of their hires.

DevsData LLC has partnered with global corporations like Johnson & Johnson, ZIM, and BCG, along with forward-thinking startups from the US and Israel. They specialize in cutting-edge technologies such as AI, machine learning, and data science, delivering tailored recruitment solutions that help businesses quickly build strong, skilled teams.

Highlights from DevsData LLC’s successful recruitment projects

ZIM Logistics Services Ltd.

DevsData LLC supported ZIM’s digital transformation by recruiting 18 engineers and technical specialists. The team included professionals with experience in enterprise platforms and logistics-focused technologies, enabling smoother integration with the company’s operational systems.

Xapo Bank

DevsData LLC led a strategic hiring campaign for 14 critical roles in software engineering, DevOps, and product management. The focus was on candidates with strong fintech experience to support the company’s compliance, customer management, and product development goals.

In another project, DevsData LLC partnered with a global pharmaceutical leader to recruit a technical lead for a public-facing digital platform. The position required advanced expertise in system architecture, secure data handling, and integration with internal infrastructure.

To meet this challenge, DevsData LLC designed a tailored recruitment process that included HR screenings, technical assessments, and multi-stage interviews conducted over a three-month period. The successful placement in the client’s Boston office contributed to significant improvements in platform scalability and reliability. Pleased with the outcome, the client expanded the partnership to support additional hires across Singapore, London, Berlin, and Tel Aviv.

Moreover, DevsData LLC provides Employer of Record (EoR) services, allowing businesses to hire and manage remote teams globally while staying compliant with local employment laws and regulations. This service complements its embedded recruitment model, offering businesses a comprehensive solution for expanding internationally while managing HR processes with ease.

To learn more about how DevsData LLC can assist with embedded recruitment and meet your recruitment needs, contact them at general@devsdata.com or visit their website at www.devsdata.com..

Conclusion

Embedded recruitment is a powerful tool for companies aiming to stay competitive and attract top tech talent in today’s rapidly evolving market. By integrating a dedicated recruiter directly into your team, businesses can streamline the hiring process, improve candidate fit, and enhance team collaboration. This model allows for a deeper understanding of your company’s culture, enabling the recruitment of professionals who align with your values and objectives, which ultimately fosters long-term employee satisfaction and retention.

Regularly assessing your recruitment strategy with the support of an embedded recruitment partner like DevsData LLC ensures that your hiring efforts remain efficient, data-driven, and aligned with industry standards. With over 8 years of experience and a global network of over 65000 pre-screened candidates, DevsData LLC is an ideal partner for businesses looking to build high-performing tech teams. Their deep industry expertise and hands-on recruitment approach provide tailored solutions that minimize time-to-hire and optimize your recruitment process.

To learn more about how DevsData LLC can assist with embedded recruitment and help your business grow, contact them at general@devsdata.com or visit their website at www.devsdata.com.. You can also watch the video below for additional insights into their services.

Any questions or comments? Let me know on Twitter/X.

Discover how IT recruitment and staffing can address your talent needs. Explore trending regions like Poland, Portugal, Mexico, Brazil and more.

🗓️ Schedule a consultation

Read full bio

Ani Gasparyan Senior copywriter and marketer

Ani is a marketing enthusiast and content writer. With 6+ years of expertise in marketing, she succeeded in developing engaging marketing collaterals, including blog articles, social media content, and other promotional materials. With a keen eye for detail and a knack for storytelling, she thrives in crafting compelling content that resonates with the target audience.

Read more about our IT staffing services

GuideHiringIT Recruitment