When you google “Why do companies use staffing agencies” you’ll find hundreds of blog content talking about the following benefits of using an IT staffing agency.

Why Do Companies Use Recruiters

• A good agency will bring you highly qualified professionals who you may not have access to
• Candidates are scared to apply directly because the market is so niche and small
• Companies may not be able to directly call and poach candidates from their competitors
• HR and internal recruiters have too much on their plate to hire effectively
• Reduced overhead costs
• Reduced hiring risks
• Saves time and effort
• Recruiters can recruit without limits
• Hiring managers’ networks are limited
• Screen for culture fit
• Access to niche talent networks
• Great IT recruiters provide protection against bad hires
• Increases hiring speed
• Industry market knowledge

These are all valid reasons why companies use recruiters; however the real reason will surprise you.

Many hiring companies think that MORE AGENCIES = MORE CANDIDATES.

This must be the biggest fallacy of all time, in recruitment terms at least. There’s a misconception that agencies have a “bag of candidates” waiting in the wings. That we’re poised to open said bag and let a candidate out on request.

It’s just not true.

The world is experiencing all new levels of IT talent constraints. Turning an already challenging hiring situation into an “agency race” benefits no one.

HR Leaders and Hiring Managers, choose an agency to partner with.

An IT agency that’s willing to be transparent about the IT candidate landscape, against the backdrop of the unusual macro environment we find ourselves in.

Now more than ever, working with 1 to 2 tech agencies and treating them as an advisory partner, as opposed to an IT supplier is critical to businesses achieving their IT headcount goals.

Do Recruiters Have a Say in Hiring

Who are the real decision-makers within the hiring process?

Recruiters and HR Leaders do not make hiring decisions. These individuals can hinder or block a candidate from getting hired, but they do not make the decision to hire you.

If HR or a recruiter attempts to act as the decision-maker, you need to tell them to pass your messages directly to the hiring manager. Stay cool, calm and collected in telling them what you want.

Do Recruiters Prioritize Candidates Ahead of Other Clients?

Often times clients want to receive candidates ahead of other customers in the same industry. As a recruiter, of course we present candidates with multiple options. A recruiters goal is to stay level headed and client agnostic.

However, we always advise candidates and clients to make a decision based on best fit.

The real question is this…

How Can Customers Ensure They Secure Candidates Ahead of Their Competitors?

Here’s how.

• Choose a recruitment partner not just a supplier
• Get rid of the God like complex…Candidates are interviewing you too
• Be receptive to feedback
• Make sure your hiring process is fit for purpose; robust enough to challenge but concluded in a timeframe that keeps candidates engaged
• Pay people their worth….Buy cheap, you’ll buy twice

So what’s the real reason why companies use recruiters.

It’s Not the Candidate That Companies Are Paying For

We screen, we challenge, we manage and do our absolute best to get it right when matching a candidate to a company.

But ultimately it’s not the recruiter who’s making the hiring decision.

That sit’s with the client.

On day one, as a candidate joins an organization; there’s a transfer of responsibility.

Explaining to the client that we’re paid for the search, the sourcing, the vetting, the advertising, the candidate management, the process, the negotiation, and ultimately making sure the candidate shows up on the first day.

Do hiring managers / clients have an appreciation as to what recruiting agencies do to ultimately deliver the candidate without being walked through the process step by step.

At the end of the day, recruiting agencies are paid a fee for managing a process and bringing it to a successful conclusion – not the candidate selection.

Now That You Know the Benefits of Using a Staffing Agency

Now that you have seen an in-depth guide on the benefits of using a staffing agency, and why companies use recruiters, remember that IT headhunting and IT recruitment is extremely hard work. 

Very few people can do it well. Companies’ internal staff, whether it’s HR, internal recruitment or the hiring manager, are not well-versed in helping IT candidates to make life altering decisions every minute of the day.

Contrary to internal staff, professional headhunters have finesse in complicated sales negotiations and persuasion every minute of their day! The volume of career discussions a career headhunter has vastly outstrips any other job.

Thus, when companies engage a competent and successful headhunter, they massively increase the probability and speed at which they can fill the role.

Otherwise, the industry of IT recruitment wouldn’t exist. Market forces dictate an arbitrage opportunity at a high margin for the ability to connect crucial IT talent with employers.

If you want to learn more about working with an IT recruiting firm, or are ready to start the hiring conversation, contact us at nexus IT group.