6 reasons companies should use a recruitment agency

So, you’re looking for a new member of staff to join your team? Great news! A new hire means new skills and knowledge, a different perspective and, ultimately, growth for your business. But finding the right candidate isn’t always simple. That’s where a recruitment agency can help.

Recruiters know their markets inside out. They understand the challenges and, as well as identifying great talent, they can advise on whether the role you’re looking for is actually the role you need.

There are lots of reasons to use a recruitment agency to support with your talent acquisition. In this post, we’ll cover:

• The benefits of using a recruitment agency
• The skills a recruiter can bring to the table
• The ways using a recruitment agency can take the pressure off your business.

1) They offer specialised expertise

As we’ve touched on, recruiters are experts in their field. Whatever the sector, you’ll be able to find a recruiter who is experienced in that space. They will understand the roles within this sector, and will likely have recruited the same or similar roles previously. You may think the role you’re after is pretty niche – chances are, a recruiter will have come across a very similar role and will understand the skills and knowledge required.

It’s very common for companies to recruit a direct replacement for a team member who has left the business. This may not always be the best decision. Your business has likely evolved since the original hire, so the role you think you need might be very different to the role you actually need to help your business grow. A recruiter can advise on this, using current market insights to suggest alternative roles or skills that could complement your current team and your goals.

This specialised expertise is invaluable and will ensure you recruit the right role for your business needs. This could have a positive impact on staff retention, too.

2) They have an understanding of your market

There are lots of recruiters and agencies out there. From specialist agencies that recruit for a specific market, to agencies that recruit across a variety of different sectors, you’ll be able to find a consultant who is experienced in your market. They will understand the current demands of the market, will have a list of contacts within that space, and will have a deeper knowledge of the different roles in your area.

A recruiter can then use this knowledge to find the right candidate, ensuring they have the right skills and experience. It’ll also be a lot easier for you as the client to communicate your needs to the recruiter, as they have a good understanding of your sector.

3) It’s time effective

Time is money, they say. So, you’ll likely want to fill your vacancy as soon as possible! Recruiters understand this and can be on hand to work as quickly as needed. The recruitment process can be a lengthy one. From shortlisting and screening, to interviewing, there’s lots that needs to do before you can welcome your new team member on board. A recruiter can take the pressure off, helping with shortlisting to ensure you’re only provided with a handful of suitable candidates.

They can also manage the communication between you and the candidate. So, if fitting in calls and emails around your already bursting inbox is proving tricky, a recruiter can help.

4) You’ll get access to a wider pool of talent

People are everything to a recruiter. Their role is built on relationships so if they don’t already know the kind of candidate you’re looking for, they’ll be able to find them! If you’ve yet to outsource your recruitment needs to an agency, you may find you are struggling to access a variety of candidates. This isn’t an issue when working with a recruitment agency as they will have built up a vast contact list, while also having access to candidate databases. This gives you access to more talent, giving you a better chance of finding the right person for your business.

5) They can support with screening and evaluations

Screenings are an essential part of any recruitment process. A recruitment agency will screen candidates ahead of shortlisting to ensure they are a good fit for the role. This usually involves meeting the candidate face-to-face, or having a video or telephone call with them. The recruiter will get to know the candidate better, asking questions about their skills and experience and their interest in the role. This exercise helps the recruiter shortlist the best candidates.

A recruitment agency can also support with or advise on pre-employment screening. This could involve DBS checks or right to work checks.

6) They can assist with negotiations

If a candidate requests a higher salary, or suggests changes to the job spec that aligns better with their talents, you may need to have a difficult conversation to explain why these adjustments may not be possible. A recruitment agency can advise you on handling these conversations sensitively. Better yet, most recruiters can handle these situations for you, working with you and the candidate to find a solution that keeps everyone happy. Ultimately, a recruiter wants what is best for both client and candidate, and they’ll negotiate to make sure both parties receive the best possible outcome.

If you’re now considering working with a recruitment agency to support with hiring new talent, we can help! We work across a range of divisions including accounting and finance, HR, IT, Marketing and Digital and more. Get in touch to find out more about the services we offer.

If you’re a job seeker looking for your next move, we can also support you! Here are six reasons you should work with a recruitment agency as a candidate.