September 15, 2020
Recruiting can be both a roadblock and accelerant to a successful global expansion.
If you are expanding to new markets, finding talent is the key to success.
Human Resources usually build relationships with recruitment firms to navigate hiring problems. The relationship between HR and recruiters can be a fractious one, though. Unfortunately, recruiting has an image problem and we need to work hard to improve it.
This is especially prevalent in technical industries. Many agencies don’t align with the values of internal HR departments or solve their problems.
This pain point is particularly sensitive at the moment in industries like energy. The Global Energy Talent Index highlighted that the sector is in a talent crisis
Of GETI’s 17,000 respondents from 162 countries
That puts pressure on HR managers to find the best talent for global expansion projects.
So, if you’re a HR professional, how can you choose a recruitment company that will add strategic value?
As a starting point, we recommend looking at the following five factors:
If you are looking to hire niche talent, it is advisable to work with a specialist in your industry that has experience in your location.
It may be tempting to work with a large agency based on the variety of industries they work in. But, a generalist agency may be unsuitable if they don’t have an in depth understanding of your business.
One of the first things you should look at when choosing a recruiter is their portfolio. Ask about the following:
An experienced agency will provide recruitment case studies to show their expertise.
Look for a proven track record in delivering for firms and projects with a similar scale to yours. It is also important that they have a presence in the places you need to hire in.
Some firms may outsource the hiring process to 3rd parties. This can reduce the quality of your working relationship and slow hiring. The added delays or misunderstanding of your needs can increase costs in the long-term.
Technical and engineering firms are often reliant on contingent labour. Specialist recruitment agencies work with pre-existing talent pools.
This ensures they have vetted candidates ready and waiting to start new projects.
Evidence of existing relationships between talent and staffing agencies offers peace of mind. Both in the quality of candidates supplied and assurance of reduced time to hire.
Accessing the data to make hiring decisions can be costly and resource intensive.
A specialist recruitment company should have access to insights such as:
Find out if your potential partner can provide that information. Even better, ask if they can produce a talent map so you can understand the market in greater depth.
When staffing major projects, you should also ask whether your agency can provide the below:
Compliance is one of the biggest challenges currently facing HR. This is especially true when staffing projects in regions with varying regulatory regimes.
The right recruitment partner can help companies navigate this landscape. They should understand the latest regional laws and regulations that affect workforce decisions.
Finally – and as obvious as it may sound – you need to explore the services they offer. This can help you decide whether they’d be a good fit to support your wider expansion plans.
There are a range of questions hiring managers should ask their potential agency, including the following:
Are they reliant on the same job boards and active talent pool you have access to?
Do they work on a contingent or retained basis?
For niche roles you may prefer a retained consultant who will understand the role in detail. They would then utilise a range of tools to find both active and passive candidates to fit your needs.
You need to know if your agency can move your workforce safely and compliantly across the globe.
For instance, if you are managing a major energy project, you may need to plan for global employment.
And the unique talent pool you need could be equally as diverse.
Will your employment agency work to manage this compliantly and guarantee minimal project disruption?
You may want more or need other HR support beyond recruitment. A Global Employment Outsourcing firm can help manage employment contracts, payroll and tax.
This can be helpful when expanding to new markets without a business entity.
When you are looking to expand globally, and are in need of niche talent, a recruitment agency can help you - if you choose carefully.
Here are our key takeaways to consider:
Airswift has a 93% fill rate and works with leading technical and engineering firms on strategic global projects.
Ours is a truly personable and specialist recruitment service. We pride ourselves on our customer service to HR departments when they expand their workforce.
This post was written by: Rob Boyle, Head of Digital Marketing
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