FAQs

We fully respect internal hiring processes. Our service complements them by offering a no cure, no fee model — allowing clients to interview external candidates without cost or obligation. This provides valuable market comparison, enabling hiring decisions based on both internal options and external talent, ensuring the best possible technical and cultural fit.

We understand the value of trusted suppliers. However, supplier lists can become static if not regularly reviewed. Introducing a specialist agency like Vivid brings healthy competition, often leading to faster processes and higher candidate quality. We work alongside your channels and focus specifically on filling niche roles within technical industries. These roles can be hard to fill for general suppliers, making us best placed to find the perfect candidate.

Local candidates are always prioritised, especially for on-site work, as clearly this lends itself to assignment longevity. Yet, some roles require niche expertise that may not always be available locally. With this in mind, we work with freelancers willing to relocate or commute on a long-term basis. We handle all logistics, giving access to the widest possible talent pool with no disruption.

Many highly skilled engineers and consultants choose freelance work for flexibility and project variety. We work exclusively with proven freelancers often recommended or already known to us; all are reference-checked prior to placement. On average, 64% of placements are extended contracts and 42% of contractors have been placed previously. In addition to this, all freelancers work on the basis that their time and quality of work must be approved prior to payment, ensuring high performance and full control for our clients.

Freelancers working with us operate within our non-disclosure conditions, however, many clients also request their own tailored NDA’s, which we are able to facilitate.

Vivid is a niche specialist within the engineering, technology, life sciences and government sectors, focusing on a select range of skillsets in each discipline. We deliver candidates sourced from trusted networks or redeployed from previous placements. This allows us to strengthen internal teams by supplying quality candidates quickly for hard-to-fill roles.

Yes. We are fully registered in Germany with contracts specifically written for the freelance market by German legal advisors. We supply both local and European candidates, all fully compliant with German regulations.

No. We operate on a no cure, no fee basis. If the right candidate is not found or hired, there is no cost.

We aim to deliver two to three vetted CVs within 24 hours, using our extensive market knowledge and specialist network.

All candidates undergo thorough reference checks and are assessed by our in-house technical team before being submitted to clients.

No. There are no penalties or hidden fees for terminating a contract early. Clients will only pay for the hours worked by the contractor (including the notice period), once timesheets are approved.

We work with all-inclusive agreements with our clients, ensuring all parties are satisfied. Our fee structure is clear, transparent, and free of hidden or additional costs. Our Permanent Placement and Temp to Perm fees can be found in our Terms & Conditions upon request.

No. Reviewing CVs or conducting interviews carries no fee. Invoices are only raised if a candidate is engaged and starts work.

We developed a compliance questionnaire in collaboration with advisors and the Dutch government. This assesses each placement for appropriate qualification on all DBA regulations, protecting both clients and candidates. We also have a Dutch model contract.

We offer exclusive access to candidates who work solely with us or are within our long-standing network. Each of our consultants is dedicated to a specific market, defined by both their technical specialism and geographical focus. This level of precision is what makes them specialists, understanding the hiring landscape in real time from talent availability to emerging skills in demand. It’s a deliberately narrow focus, designed to deliver depth of knowledge and insight which helps our clients fill complex, hard-to-source roles with confidence. Hence, working with us opens doors to top-tier local and specialist talent that may not be available elsewhere.

 No. Projects can be ended with due notice if completed early or if the freelancer is no longer required.

Yes. We follow a strict compliance process for freelance placements, supported by a vetted questionnaire and clear contracts developed with legal advisors, assessing each placement for suitability for a freelance model under German law.

Services contract or Deliverables contract (Dienstvertrag/ Werkvertrag) 

Freelancers can often offer the best value when speed, expertise, and flexibility are essential. We assess each project individually, providing honest advice on cost, risk, and potential outcomes. Keeping this in mind, we work with our clients specific budgets, securing the best possible candidates in the market within affordability range.

It’s a common concern that hiring a freelancer could lead to a loss of internal knowledge — but in reality, this risk applies to permanent employees too. The key difference is that freelancers are usually hired for their specialised expertise. They often train internal staff, share best practices, and raise the overall skill level of the team. In most cases, freelancers serve a notice period and provide thorough handovers as part of their exit process. Rather than causing knowledge gaps, the right freelancer can enhance internal capability and improve knowledge transfer within your team.

Whilst the upfront cost may seem higher, over a longer period of time the contrast is very little. Due to high income tax, candidates are compensated by a large number of employee benefits, meaning the total annual cost of a full-time employee can be significantly higher than the salary alone.  Freelancers on the other hand, come with an all-inclusive, daily or hourly rate, which is paid on approved timesheets. This means there are no hidden costs and you only pay for the time they have worked (no holiday pay, sick pay, redundancy pay etc..). When you also factor in faster onboarding, reduced overheads, and the high-performance levels that experienced candidates bring, hiring a freelancer in Belgium can be both cost-effective and high impact.