When working as an independent recruiter running into clients who attempt to avoid hiring fees is inevitable. There is always at least one client who at some point will try to side step their responsibility to pay the recruiter for their hard work in sourcing talent for their company.But how do you handle fee avoiders while keeping your sanity? Below are six tips:

1. Always state your fees upfront and clearly to clients. It is preferable that fees be in writing but even if they are not, recruiters should make sure that clients understand hiring fee expectations.
2. Resolve any disputes over fees immediately and amicably. If there is a dispute about how much you’re owed by the client, don’t delay finding a resolution.
3. If you’re fee payments are delinquent, begin collection actions immediately. Waiting to see if things will “work themselves out” won’t work and will only make it harder for you to collect as time passes.
4. Be persistent but professional in your collections activity. You must let clients know that you are not going to go away until you are paid.  In this case, the squeaky wheel really does get the oil.
5. Make clear to your clients what the consequences are for failing to pay fees. That means you need to have a collections strategy and action plan. If the client still does not pay, follow through on with your plan.
6. Do you have clients who consistently pay your fees late?  Create a system for handling repeat offenders while simultaneously rewarding clients who pay on-time.