When a company wants to recruit talent, choosing the right recruitment agency is a crucial step. Indeed, it’s not just about delegating the search for candidates, but about selecting a true strategic partner who can understand the specific challenges of the company and propose the best profiles.
Here are our 7 tips to help you choose the right recruitment agency:
1.Choose a Specialized Recruitment Agency
First, it is essential to ensure that the recruitment agency understands the challenges of your professional environment, whether you are a startup or a large company. To do this, it is advisable to engage a specialized agency that will provide its expertise and a network of qualified candidates who are familiar with the specific challenges of your industry. In contrast, a generalist agency will offer more general profiles and may be less relevant for highly specific sectors.
Tips:
- Look for the best specialized agencies in your sector and schedule a meeting to present your strategy and the challenges you face when hiring.
- Ask the agency about their previous approaches to recruiting for similar roles to determine whether they are equipped to meet your recruitment needs.
Note: At Bessand, we specialize in recruiting Tech and Sales profiles for startups and large companies. Feel free to contact us, and we would be happy to help streamline your recruitment process!
2.Check the Agency’s Reputation and References
The reputation of an agency demonstrates its effectiveness and reliability. It is important to find online reviews and ask for references from companies within your network.
Additionally, although it is rarely stated in contracts, it is useful to know what tools and resources the agency uses for outreach. You should ensure that the agency provides regular and transparent follow-up, as a lack of visibility could indicate that the agency does not fully manage the process.
Tips:
- Check reviews of the agency on platforms like Google or Trustpilot.
- Ask for direct references and contact former clients to discuss their experience.
3.Choose an Agency with a Large Network of Candidates
A strong network is crucial for accessing a large pool of qualified candidates.
A well-connected agency can increase a company’s visibility to candidates and, with a broad network, offer a larger number of qualified candidates who are more likely to meet the specific needs of the business.
Tips:
- Ask the agency how many potential candidates they have in their database.
- Evaluate the agency’s relationships with key players in your sector.
Note: At Bessand, we work directly with engineering schools to maintain an exclusive database of talent. Additionally, we collaborate with startup incubators to spot the best profiles from innovative young companies.
4.Ensure the Agency Fully Understands Your Company Culture
The agency must be able to understand and convey your company’s culture. This is crucial for ensuring that the candidates they propose will integrate smoothly into your team. Discuss with the consultant who will be handling your mission to ensure they have fully grasped your expectations regarding values and company culture.
It is also important that the agency holds ethical values such as diversity and inclusion, as this can influence your company’s image.
Tips:
- Offer a visit to your offices and introduce your teams to the consultant. This will allow them to better understand the work environment and convey it to candidates.
- Inquire about the agency’s practices regarding diversity and ensure they follow non-discrimination rules.
5.Engage with a Transparent and Effective Recruitment Agency
A transparent recruitment agency clearly explains the stages and methods of recruitment. They should indicate the criteria by which each candidate is chosen, how they are evaluated (e.g., personality tests, video interviews, etc.).
It is also important to choose an effective agency that respects recruitment deadlines and allocates the necessary resources to meet your needs. The agency should also be able to communicate clearly about progress, challenges faced, and remain available at all times for discussions.
Tips:
- For highly technical profiles, it is preferable for the recruitment agency to not only assess the candidate’s overall skill level but also evaluate their technical expertise through specific tests or other methods.
- An agency unwilling to commit to deadlines and results should raise a red flag. Choose an agency that adheres to specific performance indicators.
6.Review the Contract Terms Before Finalizing
Contract terms vary between agencies. It is important to understand what you are paying for and when. Key points to clarify include:
- Billing method: success-based, percentage of the annual package, or flat rate?
- Exclusivity clause: can the agency work with other companies for the same type of position?
Tips:
- Inquire about billing timing, guarantees, and clauses.
- Don’t hesitate to negotiate the contract terms to better suit your needs. For instance, a longer guarantee period could be a decisive factor.
7.Prefer an Agency That Follows Through to the End of the Recruitment Process
Recruitment doesn’t stop once the employment contract is signed. A good recruitment agency understands that the integration of a new employee is a crucial step in ensuring long-term success. This is why it’s essential to choose an agency that goes beyond simply searching for candidates and is involved throughout the entire process, including after hiring.
Support until onboarding is a mark of seriousness and professionalism. The agency should ensure that the selected candidate has the required skills, and also monitor that their integration into the company is smooth.
Tips:
- A quality agency stays in contact with both the company and the candidate during the trial period to ensure everything goes as planned.
- An efficient agency often offers regular evaluations after the hiring process to assess the candidate’s performance and satisfaction in their new role. This allows the company to ensure the candidate is thriving in their new responsibilities and confirm the success of the recruitment.
Thus, choosing the right recruitment agency is an important decision that must be made based on these various criteria: the agency’s specialization, reputation and references, candidate network, values, contract terms, and involvement through the recruitment process. By following the advice in this article, you will be more likely to find the right partner to elevate your company.
But remember that the quality of recruitment depends not only on the agency but also on your involvement. Only through collaborative work can you attract the best talent and turn each recruitment into success.
