How can clients get the most out of their recruitment agency?

According to the Recruitment and Employment Confederation, there are now over 30,000 recruitment agencies in the UK, with the total number of agencies increasing by 6.5% since 2022. And, with the unemployment rate expected to rise from 4.23% to 5% by the end of 2024, there’s a clear need for recruitment support, from both a client and candidate perspective.  

There’s no denying that partnering with a recruitment agency is a big commitment for businesses. Budget restrictions and reservations around trust and confidentiality may cause companies to avoid working with a recruitment agency. This could impact the efficacy of a company’s recruitment efforts, prolonging the process and eating into the hiring manager’s time. 

Companies should partner with a recruitment agency for access to talent pools, and to take advantage of the team of consultants and their expertise. It could also take the pressure off a business, allowing hiring managers to focus on their role rather than the often-time-consuming recruitment process.  

There are so many benefits of partnering with a recruitment agency, but how can clients with reservations ensure they get the most out of their partnership?  

Here, we share three ways clients can maximise their relationship with a recruitment partner to ensure the best recruitment results. 

Clearly communicate your needs and expectations  

It goes without saying, but it’s important to be honest with your recruitment agency about what you expect from them. If your priority is filling the role fast, let them know. Provide detailed information on your ideal candidate and be sure to communicate any non-negotiables. For example, if it is essential that the new starter can commute to the office for a certain number of days per week, make this clear. Clear communication will allow the consultant to do the best possible job and provide you with a shortlist of candidates that tick your boxes.  

Set clear timelines and try to stick to this. Often, recruitment agencies can be flexible and understand if your needs change or you need a candidate sooner than anticipated. Just be sure to keep them up to date with any changes so they can support you as best as possible. Communication really is key.

Be open to suggestions and recommendations 

Believe it or not, recruitment consultants know a thing or two about, well, recruitment! They understand their markets and have a good knowledge of the roles needed in their specific industry. A recruitment consultant may offer advice on the role you are looking to fill. For example, they may suggest amending the job title or job specification if they feel that the role you are trying to fill isn’t appealing to candidates or doesn’t support your business goals.  

Take their advice and be open to their recommendations. You may think you know the role you are looking for, but consultants will likely have experience recruiting similar roles in similar organisations so they’ll know what roles are more likely to add value and help your business thrive.  

Recruitment consultants understand candidates. They know what they will be looking for in a role and in an organisation. They can use this insight to help you refine your job specification and appeal to a wider talent pool. 

Find out what other services the agency offers  

If you are working with a recruitment agency on a HR role, why not consider partnering with them on other roles across your business? Here at Gleeson Recruitment Group, we have specialist recruiters working across many divisions, from Marketing and Digital to Accountancy and Finance. If there are other roles you need support with, your consultant will often be more than happy to put you in touch with a colleague who can help. 

If you are working with the agency on a permanent role, find out whether they also recruit temporary and interim roles, or support with other recruitment projects. Even if you do not need their support at that moment in time, it’s good to understand the other services on offer so you can work with them in the future.  

Working with the same recruitment agency across your business can be beneficial as they have already invested in your organisation and have a good understanding of your business needs and goals.  

To summarise, here are three key reasons why using a recruitment agency to support with your talent acquisition could be beneficial.

If you would like to work with us, get in touch! Submit a vacancy, or contact us via email at info@workwithglee.com

You can find out more about our services and what it's like to work with us over on our website.