Human resource management covers all aspects of staffing, compensation, and workforce deployment, including recruitment. But many companies do (and should) maintain contact with external recruiters whose actions are governed by separate companies or independent contracts.
If you’re an HR pro with a strong understanding of your company’s culture and the needs of your managers, how can you get the most out of your relationships with external recruiters? And if you’re a recruiter with only a tangential understanding of the cultures of multiple firms, how can you showcase your candidates in the best light and make the most of your sprawling connections?
Most important, how can both of you work together to match the right candidate with the right job, every time?
Working Together: Tips for Recruiters
1. If the client considers something a red flag, it’s a red flag. A candidate who traveled for a year after college may seem ideal in your eyes, but if the company wants obedient grinds who didn’t miss a day between graduation and work, then that’s what they want. Try to keep an open mind.
2. Be thorough with due diligence. Some recruiting firms include full criminal background checks in their search process as well as reference checks. If your firm offers a detailed investigation as part of the screening process, be careful not to miss a step.
3. Follow through. Without being a pest, stay in close touch with both the candidate and the hiring manager until the deal is sealed.
Working Together: Tips for HR Pros
1. After the job interview, reach out, one way or another. Don’t leave a recruiter/candidate hanging when the interview is over. If you have good news to share, share it, and if it’s taking a long time to finalize the decision, share that too. Just don’t damage your company’s reputation by letting the line go silent.
2. Treat recruiters with respect. They’re on your side, after all, even if some of the matches they suggest seem inappropriate.
3. Help the recruiter make the best use of every online resource. If she needs your support to publish a posting via blog or social media, respond quickly and provide the tools she asks for. The wider her net and the more efficient her process, the better the results will be for both of you.
Here at Expert Staffing, we have the experience it takes to help you staff your office with the best available talent. If you have any questions about recruiting, retention, or maintaining a productive and profitable relationship with your employees, contact us today.