You’re working on deadlines, and your human resources department is spread thin trying to finalize all the projects and goals that need to be handled. Your company needs to fill one or more vacancies, but finding that perfect candidate to fill the right opening within a short period is stressful.
A recruitment agency acts like a bridge that helps connect employers with the employees. We have access to thousands of potential candidates. A good recruiter knows how to identify individuals and then use their skills to match them with companies that need their talents.
There are several things to consider when choosing a recruitment agency that is the perfect fit for your company. You should look at the agency’s history, the services they offer, what kind of experience they have, and how much they charge, along with a few other criteria.
Some recruiters are specialists in specific markets and can give the hiring team regular insight into what is happening. These recruiters will have know-how in reaching out to the best available talent, salary rates, career expectations, current hiring complexities, available skill-sets, and shortages.
You should start by researching the agencies in your area. Look online or check out the agency’s website and social media accounts to see if any reviews have been written about them. You want to make sure that the agency has a strong online presence.
Ask around to get referrals from friends and family. If you don’t have anyone that can refer a company to you, ask other businesses or people in your industry for recommendations. Do your research and search online complaints and compliments sites for any reviews clients and other professionals may have left.
Look at the company’s values and mission statement. This will generally give you an understanding of what kind of people they employ and what kind of work ethics they have. Don’t just rely on word-of-mouth. If possible, visit the office and meet the staff members.
Think of finding a recruitment company as finding a partner for your business. You want the agency to have your company’s interest as its focal point. Find a recruitment agency that you can build a relationship with for years to come so that they grow to understand and know your business as if it were their own.
Do Your Homework
Before you start looking for a recruiter, you need to conduct some research about them. Find out what kind of companies they have worked for before. What are their strengths? How long has the company been around? Is the recruiter reliable? You want to know that the agency will find someone who can be an asset to your company.
Give the agency any vital information about your business, values, and mission statement. Give them job-specific information that they will need to ensure they find the right candidate. Don’t leave out any necessary info that may affect the hiring process, and explain your pain points to them and why you are seeking their help.
You should treat hiring a recruitment agency as if you were hiring a candidate for a position at your company. Ask questions like what services do they offer? How do they choose their candidates? What screening processes do they follow? Do they have experience and knowledge with your type of business?
When you decide that you are going to hire a recruitment agency, you need to remember that this process should, in the long run, save you time and money and assist you in finding candidates that you may never have had an opportunity to get into contact with.
There are different types of recruitment agencies that can help you, and each comes with its price tag. Ensuring they fall within budget is as important as finding the right one.
Once you have figured out what kind of agency you need to help you recruit talented staff, you need to make sure they tick the budget box to prevent excessive costs and fees.
Fees of recruitment agencies differ depending on some factors;
Adding all these fees up can seem costly, but if you break it down and consider a long-term approach to the hiring process, it may be worth the return in the long run. Consider the new employee’s role, how will they profit your business, how hard it is to fill the position, and do you or your HR have time to go through the long list of candidates applying for the job?
Considering the location of your recruitment agency is also a factor to consider. Are you hiring local people who will work at one of your branches, or are you looking internationally for talented people who are willing to relocate?
Can you meet the recruiters face to face to see how they conduct themselves with clients or potential candidates? Remember that they are now representatives of your company as the first impression someone will have about your business. Dealing face to face versus via phone can show two very different results.
Knowing the agency’s culture and ensuring that the goals and values align with your company will mean that the agency will have a good awareness of how you expect things to be handled and what to anticipate from them during the process.
Each recruitment agency has its own style, recruitment process, and services. A professional recruiter will provide you with information on the steps they will take to ensure the candidate is a match for your business.
Test the recruiter with some industry and market questions. You can’t partner up with a company that doesn’t understand the technical aspect of your business; how would they answer candidates’ questions correctly if they don’t know or understand your field of expertise?
When you choose a recruitment agency as your staffing solution, you need to ensure that they have industry-specific expertise with recruiting managers knowledgeable in your company’s line of work.
An industry-specific recruitment agency has different types of candidates available. For example, the kind of candidate available for IT recruitment agencies will differ from a recruitment agency for a marketing role.
Have they kept a relationship going with candidates even if they were not looking for work? Do they have a pool of networks they can immediately dive into for talent? These are questions you need to ask to ensure they will be able to supply you with the right talent for your business.
Recruitment agencies will work hand-in-hand with businesses and companies to help them identify and recruit candidates for the right job role. Coming across candidates that perfectly match your criteria on your own can be difficult as your resources and the pool of expertise are limited compared to recruitment agencies.
Each recruitment agency provides different services and takes on a different approach to recruitment depending on what they’ve found works for their business size, clients, culture, industry, and style. It’s certainly worth asking what an agency’s recruitment process is and fully understanding what you’re buying as you take fees into account.
References
https://www.recruiter.com/recruiting/6-tips-on-selecting-the-right-recruiting-agency/
https://www.thebalancecareers.com/choosing-an-employment-agency-or-headhunter-2063685
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/5-simple-tips-choosing-right-recruitment-agency-syanthiyana-sadagopal
https://www.adecco.com.my/news/8-tips-on-choosing-your-right-recruitment-agency/50079/
https://www.talentlyft.com/en/blog/article/228/the-ultimate-guide-for-choosing-a-recruitment-agency
