A quick scroll through my Linkedin newsfeed will almost always include at least one person complaining about a staffing firm for something they did or didn’t do. These posts typically get a healthy amount of interaction and the almost universal response is that while staffing firms provide a highly valuable service, there are a select few companies who “do it right,” with most them being horrible.
As a 12-year veteran of the staffing industry I personally believe the situation to be the opposite and think that many companies do a good job, with a select few that do so poorly that they give us all a bad rep, but this post isn’t about the numbers. What can you do as a customer to make sure you are working with a company that gets it?
The next time you get a call from a vendor ask them this question:
“What is your company’s process for handling candidates that aren’t the right fit for our positions?”
The answer will tell you much about whether this person understands the big picture in recruitment or not.
Do not settle for vague answers.
Do not settle for hemming and hawing.
Do not settle for a process that includes anything less than, “Every single candidate we talk to about your positions will get follow-up if they are not the right fit. They will always know where they stand in the process.”
This is so important because it will demonstrate whether your staffing partner is truly a partner, or just looking at your job opening as a meal-ticket. You work hard to create and maintain your company brand. More and more companies are recognizing that their recruiting process is key to maintaining brand image. It hurts your brand when people who love your company apply to a position and never hear anything in response. This is why many companies are leveraging technology and processes that ensure people do not fall through the cracks whether qualified for a position or not. A positive recruitment experience is vital in competitive job markets. You understand this, does your recruiting partner?