Frequently Asked Questions
Are you a talent marketplace like Upwork, a traditional agency like Toptal, or a software solution like Deel?
None of the above. Howdy was built to be a "just right" solution for companies who want to directly hire, manage, and retain their teams in LatAm but need help with multi-national HR, logistics, contracts, and compliance. We are here to help you recruit world-class talent that will integrate seamlessly into your company's culture.
What's the process for recruiting and timeline for hiring?
Contact us today and you can be vetting talent within 24 hours. The full recruitment cycle typically takes 4-6 weeks and includes these steps:
- 1. Tell us your needs.
- 2. Howdy provides candidates for review.
- 3. Schedule interviews.
- 4. Decide on salary and start date.
- 5. Have a quick onboarding call.
- 6. Get to work.
What countries do you have offices in?
We are headquartered in Austin, Texas. Our LatAm offices are in Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Brazil, and Uruguay.
What are Howdy's upfront costs?
We have no upfront costs. You do not pay until your first hire starts working on your team.
Why should I hire through Howdy?
Howdy allows US companies to hire world-class talent with a 98% retention rate, no hidden costs, and zero risk.
- - No startup fees.
- - No recruiting fees.
- - No sourcing fees.
- - Hire within 24 hours.
- - Flat rate payments.
- - No minimums.
- - No cancellation fees.
- - No long-term contracts.
- - Pay week-to-week.
- - Pay via credit card.
How soon can I start recruiting candidates?
Within 24 hours.
Can I hire people to complete short-term projects?
Our professionals are hired on a full-time basis. While our model does not include contractual obligations, we work with companies who want to expand their teams for the long term.
Does Howdy provide any other services besides recruiting talent?
There is a reason Howdy recruits have a 98% retention rate. We ensure world-class talent by providing world-class benefits and services. International logistics are tough, so we take care of everything: talent acquisition, HR, legal compliance, Class-A office space, equipment, swag, perks, and onsite teams that help with both career and cultural growth.
How selective is your recruiting process?
The Howdy Vetting Method is how American companies employ LatAm's top 1%. Less than 5% of the candidates our recruiters reach out to make it through our entire process and get introduced to partners for interviews. The vetting process includes:
- 1. Deep background checks.
- 2. Knowledge assessments.
- 3. Role-specific skills evaluation.
- 4. English proficiency tests.
- 5. Cultural fit appraisal.
Once hired, how long do Howdy recruits stay with partner companies?
Our recruits have an industry-leading retention rate, with over 98% of them staying with our partners through the first two years of employment.
How do you determine levels of experience (junior, mid, senior, staff)?
There are a few different factors we consider when determining a candidate's seniority level. We test not only technical skills, but also communication abilities and years of experience.
How can I integrate my US employees with my Howdy employees?
Howdy professionals are hired as full-time staff. We do not have contract terms with partners, and hires are integrated to work with your team with no end date.
What cities in LATAM have Howdy offices?
We are headquartered in Austin, Texas. Our LatAm offices are located in Medellin, Bogota, Cordoba, Santiago, Montevideo, and Florianopolis.
Why do LatAm professionals choose Howdy?
The benefits provided by Howdy are world-class. We provide local support, physical locations, and community to every person you hire. You gain access to a full-time staff dedicated to your teammates' success. We also offer ultimate job security: if a Howdy professional has no partner assigned, we find other opportunities within our network. No matter the circumstances, their job is safe with us.
What benefits do my employees get if I hire through Howdy?
Interaction is essential when crafting high-quality work, so Howdy provides local support, physical locations, and community to partner companies. You are not just hiring people; you are gaining access to a full-time staff dedicated to your teammates' success. Benefits include:
- 1. Infrastructure: physical offices, local equipment procurement, on-the-ground support staff, and in-person events at no added cost.
- 2. Healthcare: premium medical, dental, and vision benefits.
- 3. Wellness hub: premium access to local gyms, sports centers, and wellness apps like Strava and Calm.
- 4. Mentors: tenured professionals dedicated to local support and professional growth.
- 5. English lessons: support to strengthen grammar and conversational abilities.
- 6. Udemy access: online learning for development and upskilling.
Howdy also helps extend your culture and community with happy hours, weekly lunches, English teachers, birthday gifts, and more. Stewarding team culture is why Howdy hires have over a 98% retention rate.
How is Howdy's pricing structured?
Pay week-to-week with no added fees or contractual obligations. We strive to be completely transparent with both our partners and their recruits.
How much is the Howdy fee and what is it for?
We charge a 15% surcharge per recruit. This fee allows us to provide benefits, HR, mentorship, and infrastructure to all your recruits.
Why are payments set up weekly rather than monthly?
We bill a flat weekly rate that does not change so we can deduct PTO or holidays each week. Holidays and out-of-office calendars are integrated into invoicing to deduct them automatically. Receiving automatic payments also helps us pay teammates without floating cash, which keeps costs low and helps your hires get paid more. Everything is designed to rely on software and not people.