Five things to look for when choosing a recruitment agency

Date:
Wed, 17 Nov 2021 11:30:28 +0000

Description:
We explore the world of recruitment agencies, from the types of agencies available to the best methods for choosing one to work with your business.

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Your staff are your companys most important asset, so its crucial to hire the right people for your open positions and so it makes sense to turn to recruitment agencies to get the job done correctly.

A top-notch recruitment agency can use their expertise and existing contacts to deliver higher-quality candidates to your business, of course, and thats not their only advantage.

A good-quality agency can shorten your hiring process, and an agency is an ideal choice if you dont have the requisite recruitment knowledge available
in your business or if youre just too busy and want the time-consuming recruitment process taken out of your hands.

There are plenty of reasons to choose a recruitment agency, but there are plenty of things to consider before you decide which agency is the one for you.

Weve rounded up the top five areas you need to consider when youre choosing a recruitment agency. And if you want more help with recruitment, find out the five things you need to look for in a resume , or explore our picks of the best recruitment platforms and best job sites of 2021. What kind of agency do you need?

A quick online search will unveil thousands of recruitment agencies that
could help staff your business, but there are different types of agencies suitable for different roles. You need to consider what type of agency will
be most appropriate.

Unsurprisingly, youll find plenty of conventional agencies around that specialize in finding people for white-collar roles and middle-management positions. Drill down into this wide field, and youll be able to narrow down your options.

Some large, traditional agencies have so many staff members and such a vast pool of talent that they can fill roles in a wide variety of industries and
at varying experience levels. On the other side of the coin are smaller, boutique agencies that are dedicated to particular industries ideal if you want a more focused search or if you need to fill a more specialized vacancy.

Go beyond those traditional agencies, and you can find staffing companies
that fill temporary vacancies ideal if you need seasonal workers, staff to cover other peoples leaves of absence of people to fill contract roles.

At the top of the market, youll find niche agencies that fill executive
roles. Companies that seek talent for executive positions tend to head-hunt individuals who will be suitable for your role even if theyre not actively looking for a new job. Theyll pour more effort into finding a smaller pool of qualified candidates for crucial, high-value jobs. (Image credit: Rawpixel / Pexels) Know what youre looking for

You dont just need to know what kind of agency youd like to employ you
should start the process with a clear image of what you need from an agency and your new hire.

You need to have a clear picture of the job description , its roles and responsibilities, your working environment, and the salary youre prepared to offer. You should know your positions on office and remote working,
relocation costs, your organizational structure, and the kind of candidate
you want to hire.

Ultimately, if you can provide more pertinent information to an agency, youll have an easier time and better results. Research the agencies

Once youve figured out what kind of agency you need then youve got to find
the best agency for the job, and that usually means you should create a shortlist of potential candidates.

Head to agencys websites and youll get an instant feel for the way they work and their company culture and that should indicate if your company can work with the agency. On an agencys website you should also see case studies, testimonials, and evidence of previous clients, which is useful if you want
to know if the agency has a good track record. Any agency you choose should also be part of professional bodies, like REC or APSCo in the UK or AFA or
ARC in the US.

Elsewhere, check an agencys social media profiles to see if theyve got a positive and active presence in the wider world. (Image credit: Shutterstock) Interview the agencies

Its not enough to head online and find out a bit more about the agencies
youre considering for your open vacancies before you make any decision you need to talk to them, too.

Interview agencies like youd interview job candidates. By having proper conversations, youll get a better impression of how an agency works and if theyll work well with your business, and you can figure out their story, background, and approach.

This approach means you can get more information about how long the process should take, and if theyre flexible enough to work around your needs.

At this stage you can also ask about the guarantees provided by potential agencies. Most good agencies guarantee that a new hire will stay with your company for a certain period usually three or six months. If the new hire leaves during that period, make sure that the agency will supply a new candidate or give your company a full refund. Be sure about budgets

Recruitment agencies can supply your business with the perfect candidates,
but they do cost money, so consider the financial implications.

Recruitment agencies tend to work on two different payment plans. Most work
on a contingency basis, which means that you only pay if you hire the candidates. That gives you more control over the process, removes initial costs, and eliminates some risk but be aware that agencies can offer candidates to other companies, too.

Generally, youll have to pay an agency a percentage of the candidates salary if you make the hire. These fees tend to range from 15% to 30% of the salary, with that figure increasing with the vacancys seniority. Dont be surprised if youre asked to pay 50% for high-end roles.

You can hire some agencies on a retainer. This is more expensive, because
some of the recruitment cost must be paid immediately, which introduces risk. Positively, though, it means youll get a dedicated service from the agency. This approach is usually reserved for executive positions.

Whether you want to use an agency on a contingency or retained basis, be sure of your hiring budget before you start your search.

We've also featured the best HR software , best HR outsourcing services and best free job boards



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Link to news story: https://www.techradar.com/news/five-things-to-look-for-when-choosing-a-recruit ment-agency/


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