Frequently asked questions

Straight answers, no runaround.

Everything employers ask us about outsourced applicant screening, fixed fees, and how the process works.

About the service

What we do, what we do not do, and who we do it for.

What does Mornington Screening Service actually do?

We run the slow, draining first stage of hiring for you. We write the job ad, screen every applicant against your requirements, and hand you a short, accurate shortlist, so you only meet people worth interviewing.

Are you a recruitment agency?

No, and that is the point. Recruitment agencies manage the whole hire and charge a percentage of the successful candidate's salary. We are a screening and shortlisting service. You stay in control of interviews and the final hiring decision, and you pay one low fixed fee instead of a commission.

What is not included in the service?

We keep the scope honest. We screen applicants and deliver your shortlist. We do not conduct reference checks, and we do not offer a replacement guarantee. Interviews, final checks and the hiring decision stay with you. That focused scope is exactly why our fee is a fraction of an agency's.

Who is the service for?

Busy owners, executives and overrun HR teams who need to hire but do not have hours to spend wading through CVs. If you are getting plenty of applications but no time to sort them, this is built for you.

Can you help with any type of role?

Our structured screening method is built around the real non-negotiables of your role, whatever that role is. Tell us about the position when you submit a brief and we will confirm we are the right fit before anything starts.

Pricing and fees

One fixed fee. No commissions. No surprises.

How much does it cost?

One low fixed fee of $700, whatever the role. Whether you are hiring on $75k or $175k, the fee does not change, because we charge for the work we do, not the salary you pay.

Why is your fee so much lower than a recruitment agency's?

Traditional recruitment agencies charge a percentage of the successful candidate's salary. As the salary increases, so does the recruitment fee: a $175,000 hire can attract an agency fee of tens of thousands of dollars.

We charge a fixed fee for the service we provide, not a commission based on salary. Same screening work, very different bill.

What if I hire more than one person from the shortlist?

If you hire a surplus applicant from your shortlist, the fee is ZERO. An agency would charge you a full placement fee for every hire. We think that is one of the best deals in hiring.

Do I pay a percentage of the salary?

Never. No percentage of salary, no commission, no success fee that scales with the role. One fixed fee, agreed up front.

How it works

From brief to shortlist, without the admin landing on you.

How does the process work?
  • 1. Submit a brief. Tell us about the role and your non-negotiables.
  • 2. We do the heavy lifting. We write the ad and screen every applicant against your requirements.
  • 3. You get a shortlist. A short, accurate list of candidates genuinely worth your interview time.
How quickly can you start?

Fast. Technology we have developed lets us process and screen applications quickly, and we are usually ready to start the same day you brief us.

What do you need from me to get started?

The essentials of the role: what the job involves, what a good candidate looks like, and your genuine non-negotiables. The brief takes minutes, and it is what we build the whole screen around.

How do you decide who makes the shortlist?

We use a structured screening method built around your real non-negotiables, not gut feel. Every applicant is assessed against the same criteria, so the people who reach your shortlist genuinely fit the role.

Do I still run the interviews?

Yes. You know your business and your team best. Our job is to make sure the only people you sit down with are worth the conversation.

Getting started

Two ways in. Both take minutes.

How do I get started?

Submit a brief with the details of your role and we will get your screening underway, often the same day.

Can I talk to someone before committing?

Of course. Request a quote and we will walk you through how the service would work for your role, with no pressure and no obligation.

Still have a question?

Ask us directly, or tell us about your role and we will show you exactly how the screening would work.