Finding the right people to fill your open roles is crucial for your continued success as a company. A candidate who is hardworking, skilled, and fits within your culture can prove to be an invaluable asset for years to come.
However, finding the right person is easier said than done. Fortunately, you have the option of working with a recruiting partner to make your search more effective. But which recruiting partner should you choose? Here are some key points to keep in mind as you consider your options:
Does Your Recruiting Partner Have Industry Knowledge?
It’s important to work with a partner who knows your business sector well. You don’t want to work with a firm that just “takes your order.” Rather, search for a company that can bring valuable industry insights to the table.
A knowledgeable recruiting partner can share what they’re seeing in the market and make suggestions based on those observed trends. They can take a consultative approach with each client, genuinely listen, and offer customized solutions to fit specific needs. That’s the kind of company you want to work with: a strategic partner instead of just a service provider.
Do They Have Good Communication?
Open, regular, and effective communication is key to a good relationship with any recruiting partner. You want your partner to provide timely responses to your questions. Do they offer full transparency into their process? Have they outlined realistic expectations that will help you to accurately measure success?
Additionally, your recruiting partner must listen to and understand the needs of your business. For example, your partner should implement a thorough candidate screening process that’s been molded by your input and takes into account your team’s culture. That way, they can more easily identify the type of candidates you’re looking for and fully represent them to you. Ultimately, they will bring the right fit to your open role.
Is Your Recruiting Partner Flexible?
Your business may have a number of unique positions that need to be filled simultaneously. The fact is, hiring needs change over time. You want to work with a partner that offers a range of specialties and service offerings to fit your needs at the moment.
For example, The Doyle Group specializes in:
- Project Management
- Data & Analytics
- Digital Solutions
- Software Development
- And other specialties
We offer arrangements in contract-to-hire positions, project-based roles, full-time employment, executive searches, and offshore/nearshore positions. Many of our clients have been able to reach mission-critical goals thanks in no small part to our flexible offerings as a recruiting partner.
Do They Align With Your Values?
You want your recruiting partner to have values that align with your company’s core values. For instance, if your business is implementing a DEI initiative, you want your hiring partner to 100% support you in that endeavor.
Keep in mind that the recruiting firm you use may be seen as an “extension” of your organization — which makes it imperative that they represent you well, and understand your company’s culture, working environment, style of leadership, and so forth. You want your recruiting partner to understand why your positions may be attractive to certain candidates, and which aspects of your culture they should communicate to generate interest in your openings.
Do They Have a Broad Candidate Pool?
An effective recruiting partner needs to have access to a broad pool of qualified candidates. You want your partner to have a vast network of top talent, and a proven track record of successfully filling positions for prior clients. For instance, at The Doyle Group, our talent network includes both active and inactive job candidates. This is because we’ve found that even professionals who aren’t currently job seeking can be attracted to the right opportunity when it comes along.
Is Your Recruiting Partner Good at Building Strong Relationships?
Last but not least, you want a recruiting partner that will continue to build a relationship for years to come. A truly exceptional recruiting firm isn’t solely interested in a transactional relationship with its clients. Instead, they are willing to listen to each client that comes in with a unique role that needs to be filled. They are willing to adapt to the needs of each client, even if it means stepping outside of their “comfort zone” to meet expectations.
The best recruiting partners are those that want to foster loyalty and mutual trust over time. They’re interested in consistently delivering positive results, offering exceptional service, and demonstrating genuine commitment to each client’s success. This type of long-term relationship benefits both parties, and makes ongoing collaboration on future hiring needs that much smoother.
Best-in-class recruiting partners are also willing to offer services outside of the norm. For example, The Doyle Group offers educational opportunities like panel discussions, industry reports, and monthly newsletters to keep our network up-to-date on the latest industry trends and talent strategies. We believe that the best partnerships involve two parties that are willing to grow and adapt together — and achieve important objectives as a result.
Consider Working With The Doyle Group as Your Recruiting Partner
In summary, there are several things you should look for in a prospective recruiting partner. For instance:
- Are they knowledgeable about your industry?
- Are they good communicators?
- Do they offer flexibility in how to achieve your hiring goals?
- Are their values aligned with your company’s values?
- Do they have a broad candidate pool from which to source talent?
- Are they truly interested in building a long-term relationship with your business?
If you can answer “yes” to all of the above questions, then odds are you’ve found an exceptional recruiting partner for your organization. If you’d like to learn more about how to select the right firm, or are interested in how The Doyle Group can support your company, reach out to our team today. We’d be happy to answer any questions you may have!
