When it comes to finding and hiring great employees, here’s the bad news: in the tightest job market in decades, the challenge is greater than ever. Unfortunately, there’s also worse news: most of those charged with attracting and acquiring employees say they haven’t got what they need to do the job properly.
That information comes directly from HR and hiring managers answering Alaant Workforce Solutions Question of the Week survey. Asked if they have enough resources to support their recruiting needs in 2022, 2 in 3 respondents answered “no.”
It’s clear that on-staff recruiters need assistance – exactly the kind a recruiting firm is well-equipped to provide. With the ability to devote full-time to sourcing and hiring great employees, access to well-established networks of candidates and companies, and the latest tools and technologies at their disposal, a good recruiting firm is worth its weight in gold.
The trick is finding the right agency to work with. Here are 4 questions to ask potential recruiting firms that will help you determine the best fit for your organization.
1) What experience, and expertise, do they have in your industry, and in filling a particular role(s)?
Different firms have different specialties, from filling particular roles to working in certain industries. Make sure the firm you plan to engage has a proven track record of success in hiring for the position(s) you need to fill, and that it understands the nuances of your business sector. Those qualities will make a significant difference in being able to attract and hire the right candidates.
2) What insights do they have on the labor market and candidate pool?
A good recruiter should be able to hit the ground running. That involves knowing the current status of the labor market as it pertains to your needs, as well as the availability of strong candidates. With the right recruiting firm, you shouldn’t have to start from scratch.
3) What is their process for working with clients?
Every recruiting firm works differently; you need to know that the one you choose will operate most effectively for you. For instance, do they merely provide a resume dump –which will likely include unqualified candidates – that you’ll need to vet yourself, or do they share only pre-screened and interviewed candidates to choose from? Be sure you know in advance exactly how a firm does business.
4) How often, and what information, do they communicate with clients?
Great communication is at the heart of any engagement; consistent, candid and realistic feedback is essential. You need to know that your recruiting firm will be honest with you, from the best strategic approach to filling job openings to the strengths and weaknesses of individual candidates, if the partnership is to be successful.
Finally, your staffing partner needs to understand the functions and organizational impact of a job; the right criteria for determining which candidate will be successful; and how to match that with your manager’s style and approach, and your company’s culture.
Over the past decade, Alaant has helped more than 400 companies hire over 4,000 great employees, and we’d love to help yours. Want to learn more? Contact us today and let’s get the conversation started!
