Looking for a recruiter to help you fill a role? Make sure they have these top 10 traits!

If you are a leader or HR professional considering collaborating with a recruiter to fill a vacancy, it is crucial that you engage a recruiter that is going to do more than just fill the role. Recruiters can break or make your employer brand; we are the first impression that a prospective applicant has of you and your organisation.

It is important to ensure that anyone you outsource your hiring process to is going to create a wonderful experience for all candidates and not just the applicants that are successful to interview!

Every single applicant needs to have a valuable experience. If they do not, you can be sure that they will tell their colleagues and by proxy this means they have had an unpleasant experience with you – the employer.

Here at Fertility Talent we go above and beyond to make the hiring process as efficient and effective as possible. We are committed to creating a positive experience for everyone involved. Here are our top ten traits to look for in a recruitment partner.

1.

They look credible online

Most recruiters today will do a lot of their work through social media, particularly LinkedIn. This means you can quickly assess the credibility of any recruiter you are in contact with by checking out their online profile. If they have very few contacts or little activity on their social media pages, this is not a good sign. One thing to look out for is industry insight and posts that are not just job adverts – good recruiters keep abreast of what is happening in their industry and share useful information with others in their network.

2.

They have good communication skills

The most important skill for a recruiter is the ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing. Recruiters need to be able to sell a job role and employer culture to potential applicant, and often only have a few seconds to pitch themselves and the roles they are selling. This should come across in every interaction you have with a recruiter – the ability to communicate with you concisely and graciously is an absolute must.

3.

They take the time to understand your vacancy needs

Any role is more than just a job title and a salary range. Your recruiting partners should always take an interest in company culture and the kind of candidate you are looking for. Perhaps you are searching for specific qualifications, more concerned with attitude and cultural fit, or need someone who can work flexible hours – a good recruiter will nail down exactly what is important to you as a hiring manager.

4.

They seek answers to questions that will help them sell the job

Any recruiter worth their weight will ask you a lot of questions, not just about the role, but about your facilities and wider business. They take the time to understand your employer value proposition and make sure that they understand the benefits of working for your company. This means that when they find the perfect candidate for you, they have all the information they need to promote your brand.

5.

They provide market insight & positively challenge you

A good recruiter should have granular knowledge of the industry they work in. They should understand current market trends and developments and have a good knowledge of the hiring landscape in your industry.

6.

They demonstrate tenacity with their search process

The best candidates are not sitting on job search sites, and although they may be open to hearing about new roles, are not actively looking for work. So, throwing an advert onto some job boards is unlikely to attract the absolute best candidates. Good recruiters leverage their network to reach potential applicants.

7.

They make good matches

The goal of a recruiter is to find the best possible candidate for your vacancy. Candidates referred to you should be carefully vetted to ensure they have the qualities you desire, so you do not waste everyone’s time interviewing somebody unsuitable. Even the best recruiters will not always get this right, but they will always display good judgement in choosing which candidates to put in front of you.

8.

They protect the candidate journey

When you hire a candidate, you want to be sure that they are joining your team eager and ready to hit the ground running. By introducing your company, providing background and information on key individuals and workplace culture, a great recruiter will walk all the candidates through each step of the process. They will fully prepare them for their first day and ensure that your company is presented in the best possible light.

9.

They provide constructive feedback

If something is not working, a recruiter should be able to approach you about it. Part of their communication repertoire is providing clear, honest, and practical feedback to candidates and, where necessary, to you, the client. Perhaps the salary you are offering is way below market rates, or the hours you are advertising are unusual for the industry.

10.

They act as an extension of your recruitment team

Nobody is better qualified to make decisions about new hires than your existing team. Any recruiter you work with should function as an ambassador for your organisation, providing support and acting as a conduit of information between you and potential candidates. A recruiter needs to be honest, tenacious, and initiative taking, but most importantly they need to feel like a member of your team. Knowing a recruiter shares your goal of attracting the best possible talent to your business and can function as an extension of your team is the best outcome for your relationship.

Do you want to collaborate with recruiters who embody all these traits? For recruiters who go beyond the norm, focus on building great relationships and curating a rewarding experience for every client and candidate, look no further than Fertility Talent. Contact us today 01904 230002 to discuss how we can help fill your vacancies.