Your people are the most important asset in your business, so it's crucial to hire the right people for your open positions, which is why it makes sense to look to recruitment agencies to get the job done right.
A top recruitment agency can use its experience and existing contacts to bring better quality candidates into your business, of course, and that's not their only advantage.
A good quality agency can shorten your recruitment process, and an agency is an ideal choice if you do not have the necessary recruitment skills in your business, or if you are too busy and want the cumbersome recruitment process to go through. out of your hands.
There are many reasons for choosing a recruitment agency, but there are many things to consider before deciding which agency is right for you.
We've rounded up the top five areas to consider when choosing a recruitment agency. And if you'd like more help with hiring, check out the five things to look for in a resume or explore our pick of the top hiring platforms and job boards of 2021.
What kind of agency do you need?
A quick search online will reveal thousands of recruitment agencies that could help you staff your company, but there are different types of agencies suitable for different roles. You must determine what type of agency will be the most suitable.
As you might expect, you will find many mainstream agencies that specialize in finding people for administrative and middle management positions. Explore this vast area and you can narrow down your options.
Some large, traditional agencies have such a large staff and talent pool that they can perform roles in a wide variety of industries and at different levels of experience. On the other side of the coin, there are smaller agency stores dedicated to particular industries, ideal if you want more focused research or need to fill a more specialized position.
Go beyond these traditional agencies and you may be able to find recruiting companies to fill temporary vacancies; great if you need seasonal workers, staff to cover other people's time off to perform contract functions.
At the top of the market, you will find niche agencies that fill leadership roles. Companies looking for talent for management positions tend to look for people who are suitable for their position, even if they are not actively looking for a new job. They will try harder to find a smaller pool of qualified candidates for high-value, critical jobs.
You know what you're looking for
Not only do you need to know what type of agency you want to employ, you need to start the process with a clear idea of what you need from an agency and from your new hire.
You should have a clear idea of the job description, your roles and responsibilities, your work environment, and the salary you are willing to offer. You need to know your office and remote work positions, moving costs, your organizational structure, and the type of candidate you want to hire.
Ultimately, if you can provide more relevant information to an agency, it will be easier and you will get better results.
Find agencies
Once you've determined what type of agency you need, you need to find the best agency for the job, which generally means creating a short list of potential candidates.
Head over to the agency websites and you will get an instant idea of how they work and their corporate culture, and that should indicate whether your company can work with the agency. On an agency's website, you should also see case studies, testimonials, and evidence from past clients, which is helpful if you want to know if the agency has a good track record. Any agency you choose must also be part of professional bodies, such as REC or APSCo in the UK or AFA or ARC in the US.
Elsewhere, check an agency's social media profiles to see if they have a positive and active presence around the world.
Interview agencies
It is not enough to go online and find out a little more about the agencies you are considering for your vacancies; Before making a decision, you should also talk to them.
Interview agencies as you would applicants. By having the right conversations, you will have a better idea of how an agency works and if it will work well with your business, and you will be able to understand its history, context, and focus.
This approach means that you can learn more about how long the process will take and whether they are flexible enough to meet your needs.
At this point, you can also inquire about the guarantees that potential agencies provide. Most good agencies guarantee that a new hire will stay in your business for a certain period of time, usually three or six months. If the new hire leaves during this time, make sure the agency either provides a new candidate or reimburses your company in full.
Be sure of budgets
Recruitment agencies can provide your business with the perfect candidates, but they cost money, so consider the financial implications.
Recruitment agencies tend to work on two different payment plans. Most operate on a contingency basis, which means that you only pay if you hire candidates. This gives you more control over the process, eliminates upfront costs, and eliminates some risk, but keep in mind that agencies may also recommend candidates to other companies.
Typically, you will need to pay an agency a percentage of the candidate's salary if you are hiring. These fees generally vary between 15% and 30% of salary, a figure that increases with the length of the vacant position. Don't be surprised if they ask you to pay 50% for high-level roles.
You can hire some agencies by mandate. It is more expensive, because part of the recruitment costs must be paid immediately, which presents a risk. Positively, this means that you will get a dedicated service from the agency. This approach is generally reserved for managerial positions.
Whether you want to hire an agency on a hit-and-run or on hold basis, make sure of your hiring budget before starting your search.
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