Third-party recruiters build strong work environment - By Elizabeth Trcka

Whether you are looking for a stellar employee, or for solid employment, executive search firms can be successful for both candidates and companies.

Headhunter, recruiting firm, talent acquisition company, executive search firm or employment agency: All are third-party recruiters that work for companies to find them top talent.

Third-party recruiters are most often generalists, noted for being successful at finding the right talent for their client company due to their close relationship with that company, as well as their broad knowledge and expertise in recruiting the right talent. Some recruiting firms choose to specialize in a geographic region as small as a city, while others recruit worldwide. Some agencies are made up of one person or “desk,” while others involve a team of recruiters who often then break down into specializations. In today’s electronic age, researchers are often added to the staff to help in the continual sourcing of candidates for the recruiters.

Networking, referrals, an up-to-date database, technical understanding of sites such as LinkedIn and Jigsaw are keys to being a recruiting company of choice for organizations.

A recruiting firm is unique in that the work they do in finding strong talent is paid for by the client company, once a candidate is hired. Therefore, recruiting companies have to be sure of themselves and successful in their search efforts to get paid.

Methods a recruiting company will use to reach out to potential talent will begin with direct recruiting efforts, networking, advertising on job boards, searching large job boards and other niche sites, as well as numerous other advertising methods. They will reach out to college campuses and technical schools for new grads and alumni. “I have an opportunity to present to you.” “Who do you know?” “Would you be interested?” are the start of the many conversations a recruiter will have with a passive job seeker.

“Tell me about yourself” and “What is making you decide to seek new employment?” often begin conversations with active job seekers.

Companies are encouraged to view the Web sites of the agencies with which they are considering working. Checking credentials are a must. If an agency is a member of a larger association of agencies, the company has the benefit of working with only one agency, yet knowing that the talent pool comes from a much larger association with more eyes and ears than a single agency can ever hope to have.

As a candidate who has decided it is time to find a new opportunity, it is sound practice to place your resume with a recruiting agency. Be sure that you keep the agency updated with your current information as it changes. The agency is who you can look to for coaching on interviewing techniques, job and company specifics.

For the company, a recruiting agency will work with you to get you the talent you need to structure and develop a workforce of optimum performance. The search criteria is set by the company, and the recruiting firm will present candidates that meet that criteria. Keep in mind that an administrative assistant can be as critical to a company as a CEO, depending on the need.

Once the qualified candidate has been evaluated by the company, the recruiting firm then works with the company on extending an offer and closing or obtaining an acceptance from the candidate. When negotiations are over and the candidate has accepted the offer, the agency will begin to work with the candidate through resignation, potential counter-offers ensuring that the transition to the new employer is completed.

Recruiting agencies typically have relationships with clients that last years. A high level of professionalism is required by the client company of the agencies with which they work. The recruiting company makes money through commissions generated from the fees that they collect from their clients.

A few recruiting companies also provide recruiting on contract, where companies or HR departments are able to hire these experienced recruiters on contract for project staffing, or staffing of multiple positions, as needed.


Be sure to check out our article featured this month at recruitingtrends.com

http://www.recruitingtrends.com/online/thoughtleadership/1349-1.html

For more information about Skywalk Group's recruiting capabilities:

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