Simon Read of Financial Careers Ltd is sharing the things that you should consider when choosing a recruitment agency

It’s April and Spring is here. The flowers are out, and the weather is starting to warm up. We’re talking to business owners about what’s happening in their business this month and they’re sharing tips from their industry.

Up today is Simon Read of Financial Careers Ltd. They specialise in helping their clients build high-performing finance functions. Financial Careers Ltd is a fast-growing specialist recruitment agency. With nationwide coverage, they have the capacity to build meaningful, long-lasting relationships with their clients and candidates. They are dedicated to providing clients with sound career advice, finding solutions and solving recruitment problems. Today Simon is sharing tips on the things to consider when choosing a recruitment agency.

When it comes to hiring, many companies often turn to recruitment firms to help them find the best candidates. The UK continues to suffer a considerable shortage of suitably experienced and qualified applicants, and traditional advertising often fails to attract quality applicants who can perform the required role.

Using a recruitment agency won't be the cheapest method to hire however, when you get it right, it can save vast amounts of time and money. As well as finding the best candidate for the job who can enhance your team and business. However, there are many options available and recruitment companies often make the same claims and promises, so it can be challenging to know what to consider when choosing a recruitment agency. Here are some key factors for you to keep in mind:

Specialisation: Ideally you need to look for a recruitment agency that specialises in your industry or in filling roles in the relevant business area, i.e. Finance, Accountancy, Sales, IT etc. This will ensure that they have a deeper understanding of the sector and be better able to understand your company's needs and provide candidates with the right skills and experience more quickly.

Reputation: Research the agency you are considering before making a decision. Look for reviews, testimonials, and case studies from previous clients to see their success in placing candidates into similar roles.

Recruitment Process: Understand the recruitment process that the agency uses. Do they have a rigorous screening process to ensure that candidates will meet your company's requirements? Do they conduct background checks and verify credentials? Will they work the way you want them to? Can they help you to improve or recommend a process you can adopt?

Cost: Does the agency charge a flat fee or a percentage of the candidate's salary? Will additional costs exist for additional services, such as background checks? Will they offer to work with you on an exclusive retained basis to ensure the best possible attention. Compare their charges to others. Is it competitive?

Added Value: Can they offer pre-employment psychometric testing or other assessment methods? Salary benchmarking, onboarding and retention support and advice?

Timeframe: In recruitment, we always say, 'Time Kills Deals'. Determine how long it will take to find suitable candidates. Do they have a large pool of candidates readily available, or will they have to conduct a lengthy search?

Communication: Ensure that the agency provides regular updates throughout the recruitment process. They should be able to answer any questions or concerns you have and provide feedback on the candidates they present. A good agency will consult with you and discuss any issues that they might be encountering or be able to suggest candidates that might otherwise be discounted.

Guarantees: Determine what guarantees the agency offers. Do they provide a free replacement guarantee or sliding scale rebate if the candidate doesn't work out? What is the timeframe for the guarantee?

When choosing an agency, consider their specialisation, reputation, recruitment process, cost, timeframe, communication, and guarantees. By considering these factors, you will be much more likely to be successful and hopefully build a long-term partnership with the supplier.

You can find out more aboutFinancial Careers Ltd by visiting https://www.financialcareersltd.co.uk/