Is Using A Recruiting Firm One More Hurdle to Overcome In The Hiring Process?

Recently a candidate walked into my office to interview for a potential job.  As we began to talk about her qualifications and previous experience she told me that she had never used a recruiting firm before.  She mentioned that she felt somewhat uncomfortable with a prospective employer knowing she had to be hired through a recruiting firm and that she could not source the job on her own.  As a Permanent Staffing Consultant at Houston Recruiting Services Ltd. I talk with many candidates who have never utilized the services of a recruitment firm to assist in their employment process.  They are not familiar with the process when they first arrive and don’t really know what to expect.  They understand the direct hiring process with a potential employer but feel that working with a firm is laborious and one more hurdle to overcome in order to maneuver through the hiring maze.

There are numerous advantages when a candidate decides to utilize a recruiting firm, not the least of which involves time.  If you’re currently working at a full-time job, it’s quite a task to look for a job at the same time.  Looking for a job really is a full-time job as one needs to source the employer, forward resumes/cover letters and set up interviews etc.  With a recruiting firm you gain access to the hidden job market.  Positions that don’t regularly appear in the newspaper or even online are accessible through a recruiting firm.  A firm can negotiate the salary and scope of the work and sell your skills to the employer on your behalf.  They can even explain extenuating circumstances to the employer; something that you would not have to chance to do through your paper resume.  Recruitment firms can provide you with advice on how to update your resume; they can prepare you for an interview and help you to understand what the key objectives of the position are so you are better prepared for the interview.  They can also market you to specific employers that you wish to target.  They are familiar with the market as it is their business and can educate you.  Within Canada utilizing a professional recruiting firm is at no cost to the candidate. 

You may be thinking, ok now I know why as a candidate I should use a firm, but why would an employer use a firm?  Many employers today choose to go through a firm for one of the same reasons you would – time.  They don’t have it and they need to fill a position quickly. As well, the employer does not want competitors or others in the industry to know that they are looking to fill a position for many reasons.  Lastly the employer doesn’t pay a fee until they find the right candidate.  The fee in the end is the gift that keeps on giving, because the right candidate in the right job at the right time is invaluable.

Whether you are a candidate or an employer in many cases utilizing a recruiting firm is a win, win, win situation.  So, to help you find your next position, consider using a recruiting firm today!