Recruitment can be a tough game, and finding the perfect candidate for a specific job can be a time-consuming and challenging process. Fortunately, permanent agencies can help businesses save time and energy by tracking down the ideal candidates.
As the name suggests, permanent recruitment agencies are recruitment specialists who focus on providing employers with expertise in finding qualified candidates to fill long-term or permanent positions. They work closely with employers to understand their company’s needs and requirements, then utilise their networks to find the right fit for the role.
These types of agencies have access to a large pool of job seekers and specialise in pre-screening potential hires, saving employers valuable time in the recruitment process.
Understanding permanent recruitment agencies
One of the key differences between permanent recruitment agencies and their industry peers is the nature of the services that they provide; as the name suggests, permanent recruitment agencies focus on helping employers fill long-term positions, while agencies providing temporary and contract solutions will focus on short-term or project-based roles and are designed to provide employers with flexible staffing solutions for specific needs or projects.
Generally, recruitment agencies that specialise in permanent placements typically have access to a larger pool of candidates, as they will attract and resource job seekers are looking for long-term opportunities, and this means that they have plenty to offer businesses. As a result, permanent recruitment agencies are typically used by a variety of industries and sectors, such as office, finance and human resources, and may also take care of additional elements of the recruitment process, including screening, interviewing and selection, onboarding and training for new hires.
The advantages of partnering with a permanent recruitment agency
There are significant benefits and advantages that can come with partnering with a recruitment agency, and we will take a closer look at these below.
Access to top talent
Permanent recruitment agencies tend to have access to extensive candidate networks and databases, and this means that businesses will have their pick of the cream of the crop. In addition to offering a large number of candidates to choose from – this may include both active recruitment, where candidates are actively looking for a role, and passive recruitment, which sees recruitment experts seek out candidates who are not actively looking for work, but who are a perfect match in terms of skills and experience.
Permanent recruitment specialists will also have the expertise and professional experience to identify and highlight the most suitable candidates for each vacancy – a talent that helps to ensure that businesses have access to the best of the best when they are hiring.
Time and cost savings
One of the key advantages to using a permanent recruitment agency is the reduced administrative burden on the recruiting business; experts can streamline and speed up the recruitment process, saving precious costs, and ensuring that the time that a position is vacant is kept to the absolute minimum. This, in turn, will boost overall business productivity and keep things running smoothly.
Along with the reduction of time and associated costs, is also the reduction is advertising expense. As part of a recruitment agency’s strategy to ensure they find the best candidates, they may also advertise a position on behalf of a client, to ensure they have broadened their talent search as far as possible. This will be at no cost to the client, which is an instant saving. Permanent recruitment agencies that work on a contingency basis (i.e.: is not paid incrementally for each stage of the search process), will only be paid when they have successfully found the right candidate for the job. This alone demonstrates the commitment of the agency to be successful as this is how they will earn their fee (no placement, no fee).
Industry knowledge and insights
Experienced permanent recruiters will have an in-depth understanding of market trends, and this includes a good working knowledge of salary benchmarks and compensation trends, and this ensures that businesses are not pitching positions too high or too low. Recruiters will also be able to offer expert advice and guidance on job descriptions and requirements – two elements that are critical in attracting the perfect candidates.
Custom recruitment strategies
Finding the perfect candidate to fill a role can feel like looking for a needle in a haystack, and this is why customisation can be so important. Working with a permanent recruitment expert allows employers to craft an approach that is carefully tailored to the needs of your business, and this includes Implementing effective sourcing and screening methods to save time and working to build and craft tailored candidate profiles and job specifications, to help ensure that the right talent is attracted to the position.
Rigorous screening and selection
Screening and selection also play a key role in the recruitment process, and recruitment agencies will be able to help with each stage of this process, from carrying out necessary reference checks and background screenings at the initial stage, to building and implementing behavioural interviews and skills evaluations to ensure that candidate assessments are comprehensive and effective.
Candidate experience enhancement
Making sure that candidates are well-informed and confident at each stage of the process is an important element of successful recruitment, but providing the necessary guidance can be time-consuming -particularly when there are a large number of candidates being considered.
One of the responsibilities of a permanent recruitment agency is typically to help ensure a positive candidate experience (which is key for protecting your own employer brand) and this can include assisting and advising candidates at each stage of the process, by answering questions and queries and providing key insights into the culture and values of the company. Remember, you want your new hire to be a good fit in terms of ethos and attitude, so this is an integral part of the overall process.
For more insight, read our blog on 10 reasons why a recruitment agency is important in the hiring process.
How to choose the right permanent recruitment agency
Now that we have considered the numerous advantages of choosing a permanent recruitment agency, it is time to consider just how to choose the perfect agency for your business.
Assess industry expertise
The first step is to ensure that the agency has relevant experience within your sector and industry – this will help to reassure you that they are equipped to find the best possible candidate for your position, and that they know just what you are looking for in your ideal hire.
It is also a good idea to evaluate their track record with successful placements – what new hires have they placed recently? Were these a success? What were the strengths of the agency during the process? By looking for tangible evidence and successful case studies, you will be well-placed to make a smart choice when it comes to picking a permanent recruitment agency.
Understanding recruitment strategies
You also need to make sure that you have a solid understanding of just how the agency sources and screens candidates – what methods do they use? How do they tailor their search to the needs of your industry? What strategies do they employ to shortlist the right candidates?
Client testimonials and references
Take some time to make sure that the agency is responsive, and that they communicate well both with your business and with the clients – what are previous clients’ experiences and testimonials? The secret is to ensure a collaborative partnership for optimal outcomes – does the agency help to facilitate this?
Conclusion
Working with a permanent recruitment agency can be a great way to ensure that your business secures the perfect hire for your new role and can streamline the talent acquisition process to cut costs, and save time. By investing in the services of the professionals, you can ensure the perfect match – and all while reducing the legwork you put in!
Get in touch with The Recruitment Consultancy and see how our experienced team of permanent recruitment specialists can help find the right candidates for your business.
