Recruitment is evolving all the time for the mere reason human behaviour is evolving all the time.
Attracting top talent in such a dynamically changing environment is why many organisations engage the services of a professional agency to ensure they find and select the top talent for executive roles.
While outsourcing the candidate search, piles of resumes and initial interviews has a certain appeal for busy HR directors, it's important to engage the right recruiter.
The right recruitment agency can significantly improve outcomes as well as save your organisation time and money. In fact, a recent survey by the Australian found a bad hire can cost a business 2.5 times the employee's salary!
Unfortunately, though, some recruitment agencies do have a negative perception in the industry. This is often due to pressure to fill a role quickly. They may also focus on end revenue, which means they fail to take the time to understand the needs of clients or adequately screen candidates.
As an organisation, obviously it’s important to avoid recruitment agencies that engage in this manner and find one that is willing to take the time to really get to know your organisation and focus on cultural fit as much as qualifications and experience.
Here are five things we suggest you consider when searching for the right executive recruitment agency for your organisation.
1. How much experience and expertise do they have?
The best executive recruitment agencies will have experience in your particular industry. They will have strong referral networks, be familiar with the high performers in your industry and know how to source fresh talent that might not be in your existing networks.
Make sure you also check the experience of the staff that will be doing the actual recruiting for you. The senior partners selling you their services will be experts, but they won’t be the ones who are actually interfacing with candidates. It’s a good idea to check track records and ask if the agents who are going to be talking to candidates on your behalf are members of industry panels.
2. How will they ensure a strong cultural fit?
It used to be that to fill a role you’d advertise online, wait for the applications to roll in and then start shortlisting. While there are still agencies that do this, times have moved on and a more modern approach is essential.
This means looking at far more than the traditional experience, skill, traits and qualifications. Cultural fit is the most important indicator of whether an employee will stay with your organisation over the long term.
The best recruitment agencies will work on attracting the right candidates by demonstrating the value your organisation can bring to their lives. To do this they need to spend time getting to know your organisation, so they can understand and communicate both your culture and your value offering to potential candidates.
3. What advanced search and selection strategies are they using?
The best candidates are almost never actively looking for a new role. Limiting your search strategies to posting a job ad means missing out on the best talent.
Smart recruiters use more sophisticated tools such as search algorithms and machine learning to sift through data and help them find those passive candidates that might otherwise slip through the cracks. Often, these candidates can’t be found on LinkedIn or via Google - without the latest tools, recruiters wouldn't know they exist.
Effective recruiters also have excellent referral networks to make the most of word of mouth in their search.
Once the top talent has been identified, the next step is selection. Top recruiters use behavioural interviewing techniques to ensure that a candidate does not just have the necessary skills and qualifications for the role, but is also a good fit culturally.
4. Can they deliver quickly without compromising on quality?
Time is of the essence when you’re looking to fill a role but that doesn’t mean you should cut corners. Be wary of recruitment agents who promise you results too quickly. They might put forward candidates who haven’t been properly screened in a bid to get the role filled and ensure their revenue.
Good executive recruitment agencies will speed up the process by using the latest tools to find candidates and offering streamlined reports that can be reviewed quickly at a glance.
Effective recruiters know that an efficient recruitment process means they can spend more time getting to know clients and identifying their needs, as well as spend time with candidates to make sure they are a right fit.
5. Will they protect your brand?
When you have a recruitment agency talking to candidates on your behalf, they are representing your brand to the public. If you are misrepresented or candidates have a negative experience, this reflects badly on your brand.
This is why it’s so important to choose a recruitment agency that will protect your brand. Look for an agency that is willing to spend some time on-site to gain a detailed understanding of your organisation.
Choosing a recruitment agency is an important decision and it should be taken carefully. Hopefully these considerations will help you get the best outcome from your hiring processes.