If you're a client that uses Recruitment Agencies, you NEED to read this NOW...

Are you using a recruitment agency, but getting that "hit and miss" feeling? Time to get picky!

Here are 5 questions to ask yourself:

How exactly are they advertising your role?

You need to check if there's any thought behind the copy they've used on job boards. Does it sell the role and company to the candidate? Does it stand out from other adverts, or does it look boring, bland and read like a list of demand or a supermarket shopping list?

After reading the job advert, would you apply if you were the perfect candidate? Or is it nothing more than a naff copy-and-paste job of the job spec that you could have done yourself (for free)?

Job boards are OK - but what else do they do?

Is your job promoted effectively on social media, targeting the right audience??

Does the media they've used (if any) highlight the hot points of the role: salary, hours, location, and skills needed?

Are there any online communities that the agencies can tap into that allows them to reach a large, local, and relevant audience who might not be active on job boards but open to hearing about new opportunities?

If not, you may want to ask why not and what else they actually do for you.

Are you getting polished CVs with comments, or CVs with just a logo and personal details removed?

When you do receive CVs, are they branded, neat, and well-presented??

Do they show clear comments from the recruiter about WHY that particular candidate is perfect for your job??

Do they include key strengths (and development points), salary expectations, location, notice period, or pending holidays?

Do they use video CVs that really allow you to see the candidate's personality beyond just words on a document? After all, candidate fit is almost as important as the skillset, right?

Or, are you just getting a CV with personal details removed, the candidate's first name and initial, but nothing else? (Remember, you are paying for this so-called "service".)

Do they understand your business, your culture, and the challenges you face?

So you've agreed on terms of business and fee rates with the agencies. You've given them the job specifications, but has anything else happened?

Have they taken the time to meet you in person, see your business, learn about your products or services, ask about the team, the culture, the environment?? Have they shown any interest in finding the right person to fit seamlessly into your business?

No? That's not great – surely you need the right puzzle piece to complete the jigsaw?

Beyond sending CVs, what extra value does the agency offer, and do they help with staff retention?

So you've got CVs for your job, interviews are being arranged, and it looks like you have a decent shortlist. All being well, the agency will make a placement with you.

They'll be quick enough to send an invoice for several thousand pounds, BUT what do they do to help you retain your people?

Do they offer useful local data insights, disruptive employer details, or help with salary benchmarking to ensure your offering is competitive? Or do they just want their money and run?

Does the agency put their money where their month is and offer a proper guarantee?

Lets address the elephant in the room, recruitment is expensive, and you want to make sure the person you've paid a fee for works out. If not, you surely need a realistic plan B in place.

You need a guarantee for the agency to ensure your investment in recruitment is protected.

Find out what it is and is it worth anything?

Does the agency give you a rebate period that's less than your own probation period? (You'll be amazed how common this is) or do they offer a simple refund sliding scale which goes down the longer the person has been in situ (but still less than the probation period)

Ok - I've read enough, now what?

If the answers to these questions leave you feeling "meh", it might be time to do something about it and find an agency that does things differently, any agency that forms a valuable partnership with you and one that breaks the typical recruiter/client model.

Read enough and fancy a chat about a better way??

Get in touch NOW - you have nothing to lose but a lot to gain.

Scott Saunders

[email protected]

01455 818999 / 07535000969

#Recruitment #WeCanSolvit #NotAllRecruitersAreTheSame #SmallerAgenciesTryHarder