If you have not worked with a recruitment agency before, you may have a lot of questions. On the one hand, what can you expect in general from such a partnership, and on the other – which specific agency to choose and how.
Therefore, we will summarize the main questions you need to ask before making a final decision.
Recruitment agencies play a crucial role in today’s job market by connecting job seekers with suitable employers. They provide a valuable service to both parties, saving time, effort and resources while ensuring that the right people are placed in the right jobs.
For job seekers, recruitment agencies offer access to a wide range of job opportunities that may not be advertised publicly. They also provide guidance and support throughout the job application process, including resume and cover letter writing, interview preparation, and salary negotiation. In addition, recruitment agencies can also help job seekers with career development and provide job search strategies that are tailored to the individual’s needs and goals.
For employers, recruitment agencies help to identify and attract qualified candidates for specific job openings. They can also help to screen, interview, and test candidates, and provide background checks and reference checks. This can save a significant amount of time and resources for the employer, allowing them to focus on their core business activities.
Recruitment agencies also offer specialized services for specific industries and job types. For example, some agencies focus on recruiting for the IT industry, while others specialize in healthcare or finance. This allows employers to work with an agency that has a deep understanding of their industry and the specific skills and qualifications that are required for the job.
With the rise of online job boards and social media, many people may think that recruitment agencies are no longer necessary. However, these platforms have also led to an increase in the number of job applications, making it harder for employers to sift through resumes and find the right candidates. Recruitment agencies help to streamline this process, providing a more efficient and effective way for job seekers and employers to connect.
In conclusion, recruitment agencies are an essential partner for both job seekers and employers in today’s job market. They provide valuable services that save time, effort, and resources while ensuring that the right people are placed in the right jobs. With their specialized expertise and industry knowledge, recruitment agencies can help to bridge the gap between job seekers and employers, and play a vital role in the hiring process.
Due to the characteristics of the Bulgarian market, you will not meet many companies that specialize in a single area. The exception here are the IT recruitment agencies. Therefore, most agencies have experience with a wide range of positions and sectors.
It is an advantage for the agency if it has worked on a similar project in the past. However do not be too critical of this criterion, especially if the position you want to fill is quite specific. Keep in mind other factors and questions, such as:
Even if the answer to the first question is no, you can mark previous experience with other companies in your sector in the pros column. In this case, the agency would have contact of industry experts who can be helpful with recommendations.
And when it comes to competition, be sure to ask your future partner the following:
If you have decided that you need to “hunt” the person you are looking for from a specific competitor, it would be good to make sure that the agency you choose does not work with this company. In that case, they would have a contractual obligation not to “hunt” employees from their client.
The next category of questions you need to ask is related to how the agency works.
Depending on the level in the hierarchy, the specificity of the position and the necessary qualifications, a good agency will offer you different approaches.
By default, the two main methodologies are Search & Selection – when the candidate is actively looking for a job and finds you, and Headhunting – when the agency needs to find the person and with you to inspire and motivate him to start working in your company. Do not forget to ask them also what databases they use, whether they have a practice of getting references for candidates.
And last but not least – what resources will be allocated for your project; how many projects a consultant works on at a time.
Although a good consultant can work with the same quality on several projects, you would hardly want him to have to juggle 10-15 different positions.
Once you have read in detail what you can expect as a quality of service, then comes the last question:
Besides the monetization of the service that the agency will work for you, pay attention to several other parameters – how flexible is the agency in terms of commissions and payment methods, do the agency have guarantee if the applicant leaves, what are discounts if you hire more than one candidate, etc.
Do not make a hasty decision and do not let yourself choose only by price, as the right choice of agency can be the first step towards a long-term and beneficial partnership.