What’s wrong with briefing numerous recruitment consultancies about my job vacancy? Surely if I use three or four they will reach a larger candidate pool, they will fight harder for my business and will find me candidates quicker.
This is a way of thinking that confuses and frustrates the recruitment industry. In this case, more means better simply defies all business logic. Here are some reasons why it is best to engage a recruitment consultant on a sole basis.
1. You will be a priority client! I know it can be difficult to take a leap of faith if you haven’t used a particular recruiter before, but if they are engaged on a sole basis they will prioritise your vacancy. If you are concerned, put a reasonable time limit in the exclusive agreement and let them get on with it.
2. It will save you time! Spending the time to fully brief one consultant instead of 3 or 4 is a saving in itself let alone reviewing (and potentially interviewing) multiple short lists. In some cases you will receive the same candidate by multiple recruiters. This leads me to…….
3. A thorough recruitment process! A recruiter who is working a contingent role may see it as a race and will cut corners in order to get you a list of candidates first. This may mean the candidates haven’t been interviewed or briefed properly about your company and the vacancy, they haven’t been screened or reference checked and the candidates may not know where their CV has been sent. A sole recruiter will have an in-depth and thorough process that covers all of these areas.
4. Your company’s reputation will remain intact – or even enhanced! If numerous recruiters are sourcing the market, they are more than likely all speaking to the same people. This can confuse the market and the conduct of these recruiters as mentioned above can be seen as unprofessional and unethical in some cases. Do you want your recruitment suppliers out in the market damaging your reputation?
To be fair, the recruitment industry is partly to blame for companies continuing down the path of using multiple recruiters. The most common pricing structures have a contingent assignment being cheaper than a sole search assignment. I have never understood this pricing model. Why should you penalise your client for their loyalty and commitment and reward them for sharing the love and putting you at risk of not being paid for your work.
When you are next looking for someone on to join your team, put your faith in a respected recruiter who will in turn put all of their efforts and resources in sourcing the market and finding you the best talent available.
