Using a recruitment agency is an unnecessary expense right? Surely the HR department can handle that; that’s what they’re for isn’t it? And if you don’t have an HR function, sticking an advert on a job site will sort it. Easy peasy. So I guess that’s the end of my blog. Except there’s a little bit more to it than that.
Cost
Let’s start with one of the main objections we hear; it’s expensive. Actually, using an agency can be more cost effective than handling things in-house. For a start, getting the wrong person in post can cost your business significantly, not just in terms of their salary, benefits, equipment and training, but also in terms of the impact on other colleagues. But recruiters also offer a flexible solution; like Nanny McPhee and Mary Poppins, they can be around when you need them but disappear when you don’t, so you’re only paying for services you require.
Time
It’s quicker. Your prospective employees will already have been shortlisted, vetted and interviewed before they cross your path, meaning you’ll only see people brilliantly suited to your role and organisation. No more sitting in meeting rooms wondering why everyone is wasting their time. And because it’s what we do we’ve got the process sorted, so the time from you picking up the phone to chat to us about what you’re after to you showing your newbie the coffee machine is as short possible.
Quality
We have a wide and growing pool of talent that we can search to find the best candidates available, so you get your pick of the crop. Our digital marketing strategy also means we reach and engage with candidates across a wide range of platforms, and use specialist targeted digital marketing to make your business more visible. We also have routes that enable us to access people who may not be actively searching for work, but might be just the perfect fit for your organisation. It’s impossible to reach them via a job site that they’re not going to be looking on, but our networks and knowledge mean we can find them. (We have a very particular set of skills).
Specialism
We pride ourselves on successfully connecting candidates and employers across a wide range of sectors. But there are some jobs that need a specialist recruiter, one that understands the business and the particular role, and we’re able to offer that too. Take recruiting for care staff for example. Qualifications and experience are obviously key, but we think wider than recruiting for a single role. We’re able to ask the right questions, consider the wider team and the context of the market you’re operating and work with our clients to anticipate their future needs. We can help when we get an out of hours ‘I need someone now’ phone call, but we can also work collaboratively to minimise those situations where we can.
Vision
Not all candidates are box fresh 100% matches for your role. But they might just have a certain something that we think is right for you. Maybe they’re 75% of what you need but could be developed professionally to be more even more than what it is you think need. Perhaps we can see in them a perfect part of your succession planning strategy. You might be planning to fill a full time position, but we can see that it would give your business more flexibility creating two part time roles. When we think it’s right, we’ll put you in contact with people who you might otherwise not have realised could make a hugely positive difference to your team.
Support
Just as you know your business, we know ours. We can offer advice and support on successful hiring strategies and onboarding. We keep up to date with what’s happening in the job market and industry trends, helping you to make informed decisions about salaries and benefits for example. We have a range of resources in place to help you understand and navigate relevant legislation, and can offer practical assistance when it comes to creating job descriptions and interviewing. And we’re always at the end of the phone to help.
People are your business, so it makes sense to invest in them from the very start. Getting the right people in the right roles and making sure they stick around is crucial to success. The job market is competitive, and we can make it easier for you attract and retain the best talent available. It might not be easy peasy, but that’s what we’re here for.
