You’ve decided to recruit but now you need to choose a recruitment agency! You know what you’re looking for in a candidate but how do you choose a recruiter to work with from around the 30,000 agencies out there?
Here are a few things to consider when making that difficult choice.
What exactly are you recruiting for?
Before you choose a recruitment agency you need to be 100% sure you know what you’re looking for so you can paint a clear picture to them.
The clearer you are, the easier the selection process will be. Is the job a niche skilled one or would a jack of all trades be just as good? Is it a senior role or a junior one? Temp or Perm? All these answers will help you narrow down a recruiter who is best placed to help you, so be sure you are armed with your answers before making your choice.
What Type of Recruitment Agency is right for you?
Once you know exactly what you want out of a candidate, to then choose your recruitment agency should not be too difficult.
If your need is a short term one you would do well to look at a temp agency however if you need a fee earning partner for a legal firm, an industry specialist may be more in line to help. Independent consultants like us at Slice can offer a more consultative, tailored approach to your recruitment needs and can work in true partnership with you, meaning you won’t lose hours of your time on this project.
Should I use a Headhunter?
Headhunting is traditionally used for senior level positions. This essentially means that the recruiter will look to engage with potential candidates who are not on the open job market. This is great if you have half an idea of who you would like to see in the role or perhaps from which business/industry you would like them to come from.
Does my recruiter need to be local?
In this day and age, I would say no, on the most part. If the role you are recruiting for is homebased what even is local?? The most important thing is getting the right candidate. That being said, if it is temp labour in volume you are looking for a local agency may have a book of available candidates ready to go. Since COVID, online working has become the norm and geographical barriers have been lifted however if this is something that is important to you, stand by that decision and look local.
Should cost rule my decision?
As a rule, most recruiters charge a percentage fee. Standard fees tend to be around the 15%-20% mark but executive recruitment percentages could be as high as 30%. Some agencies work on a flat fee model, like us, however, make sure you totally understand what the fee covers as not every recruiter offers the same. Bottom line, as tempting as it may be to let cost guide you, make sure you are getting everything you need from your provider.
The options may seem endless here and therefore easy however choosing the right recruiter for you can be tricky. Find one you feel comfortable with, that you feel understands you and your business and wants what is best for both.