Great choice! You’ve decided that working with a recruitment agency will benefit your hiring process. Maybe you’re in need of some expert support? Or perhaps you’re looking to hire for numerous positions and feeling swamped with the workload?
Whatever the scenario, the next step is choosing a recruitment agency who understand exactly what you need. You need an agency that works with you to make sure you get the right hire, first time!
With so many agencies fighting to work with you, picking the perfect one can be a task in itself. The best way you can identify your ideal agency partner quickly is by asking some simple questions.
We share 6 key questions to ask when choosing a recruitment agency to partner with.
Top questions to ask when choosing a recruitment agency
What experience do you have when recruiting for our industry/ roles?
This should be the most important thing to ask when choosing a recruitment agency to work with.
To really get the best person for the job, you need to work with an agency who specialises in your field. You should be working with an agency that have a wealth of success stories, hiring talented job seekers in your field. Especially when it comes to engineering and technical recruitment! You need to work with a recruiter who understands your requirements, not just someone who takes an ‘order’ for a job. Recruiters who have a strong network in their specialist area. These are the recruiters you need to work with.
How do you work and what can I expect?
With so many agencies out there, it’s important to work with an agency who if flexible to fit to your needs. Asking an agency how they communicate and control the hiring process is important. You re asking the agency to represent you and you need to ensure that they are doing this in line with your expectations.
You may wish to have a lot of input in the process, or you may decide to have none at all. This question will help you find an agency who works just like you, whether that be keeping you in the loop on the daily, or just getting on with getting the job done.
Ask to see testimonials from previous clients and candidates. Both are equally as important and a good agency will happy share these with you.
How do you engage with top talent?
For most companies, communication is key. Therefore, when choosing a recruitment agency, it’s important to make sure that they work in a way that suits your brand. In short, a recruiter is acting as the face of your hiring process.
Whether that be engaging with top talent through cold calling, social media content or a well-maintained database, it’s good to know the process. And particularly in a market where strong candidates are in short supply. It’s never been more important to make sure that they agency you choose have a tried and tested way to get you the best candidates.
Do you already have an active pool of suitable talent?
Another key thing to consider in the current market! If answered yes, this should be music to your ears. Understanding the availability of your ideal candidates is key. A very strong recruiter will tell you what’s happening in your market and give you great insights into what it takes to attract the best.
If you are ready to recruit, the knowledge that a recruiter is ready to accelerate at the green light is what you need when choosing a recruitment agency. It also shows that they are good at their job and have the ability to engage with the right type of candidates.
What are your terms?
For most companies, this is a make or break question when choosing a recruitment agency. Business terms and costs can and do sometimes control your hiring methods.
Fees and ongoing business agreements can vary from agency to agency. Therefore, it is important that you find one that works for you now. You can re-evaluate this if your future circumstances change.
Why choosing the right recruitment agency is important?
By asking these questions you should be able to quite easily choose a recruitment agency to work with. However, you may be wondering why selection is important?
There are thousands of recruitment agencies out there. It is a highly competitive arena. In order to recruit effectively, while maintaining a positive hiring image, it is important that you select the right agency.
Choosing a recruitment agency may seem like an additional task, however, long-term will save you both time and money if done correctly. Additionally, they will continue to support your future hiring needs and a long term relationship with a proven recruiter is worth its weight in gold.
If you are looking for a recruitment agency to work with, who specialises in engineering and technical recruitment, get in touch with our team by calling us on 01164 645242. We can save you time and money and already have a strong network of candidates we can speak to today.
