True Talent vs. Fill-the-Seat Recruiters: How to Build Authentic Partnerships in Human Resources

In the ever-evolving world of human resources, finding and hiring talented individuals for the right roles is critical. But it's not just about filling a seat—it's about forming meaningful, authentic partnerships between employers and potential hires. In this blog post, we'll explore how to do just that. From the perspective of someone who's been in the HR game for years and has founded a boutique recruitment firm, we'll discuss the differences between fill-the-seat recruiters and true talent, and how to create genuine connections that will benefit both parties.

The Problem with Fill-the-Seat Recruiters

The problem with fill-the-seat recruiters is that they lack the necessary HR experience to successfully match qualified professionals with businesses. As a business owner, it’s critical that you find a recruitment firm that has the necessary HR expertise and a proven track record of connecting the right professionals with your business. Unfortunately, this can be difficult due to the sheer number of fill-the-seat recruiters in the industry.

Not only are these types of recruiters ill-equipped to properly assess candidates and make successful placements, but their overall lack of knowledge and expertise can cause them to make bad decisions which could have serious consequences for the business. Additionally, these types of recruiters may not have the resources or access to a wide enough range of potential applicants and often end up filling positions with candidates who don’t have the skills or qualifications required.

For any business looking to hire talent, it’s essential to have access to a team of experienced HR professionals who have the ability to properly vet candidates and make sound decisions when it comes to selecting the right person for the job.

A good recruiter will consistently deliver the right candidate, and a great recruiter will go beyond and improve your operational efficiency, morale, employer brand, and even succession planning. Sounds far-fetched? It shouldn’t. Here’s a list of ways a good recruiter can help any business…

1. Make your company more competitive 

So how does a recruiter help to make you more competitive? We, recruiters, keep a pulse on the talent market through conversations with candidates and employers. We listen for what other employers are offering and why a candidate picked one offer over another. When we do this on a daily basis we see patterns and trends and it is part of our service to advise employers on what it might take to be competitive in the market.

1. Shorten time-to-fill

We all know that a vacancy in your team usually means that existing team members must take on extra load, whether that is overtime or putting off other work, it usually leads to lower productivity, burnouts, and low morale. Having an in-depth network of pre-screened candidates, the recruiter could accelerate the hiring process which minimizes the aforementioned consequences. 

1. Improving employee retention

Attracting talent is a hard enough problem already, but in this day and age, employee retention also seems to be a rising problem. Companies are not only having to compete for talent to replenish their workforce but also have to find ways to keep their current employees happy and content. High turnover raises the cost of hiring for an organization, not only because of repeated onboarding and lower productivity but also makes it increasingly difficult to hire top talent.

There are many ways that companies try to improve retention, but the fundamental reason for poor retention starts with bad hires. Hiring the right candidate with technical proficiency, personal aptitude, and cultural alignment with the organization will ensure the candidate not only can do the job but is personally aligned with the goals of the organization. Recruiters are trained to have in-depth conversations in order to uncover all there is about the candidate. We help ensure that the candidates are joining to stay and not just a bigger paycheque or stepping stone for something better.

1. Mitigating skill gap

What’s a skill gap? HR professionals are familiar with this term, it's the difference between skills/expertise that an employer needs and wants and the skills/expertise their personnel offers. Strategic HR professionals often use skill gaps to derive initiatives in talent acquisition. In our fast-paced world, having the right expertise at the ready can be the difference between a market pioneer and scrappy #2. HR as a profession is pressured to address skill gaps and deliver top candidates, but the challenge arises when HR or talent acquisition teams have no experience in the identification of top talent and often have a blank database of candidates. You might think that HR will eventually gain the expertise and candidate pool and I would agree with you, but how long can the organization afford to wait? 

A recruiter is a suitable solution to address skill gaps. In the short term, a recruiter can leverage their industry experience and tap into a pre-established network of qualified candidates to effectively address skill gaps within an organization, often buying the organization time to build expertise and a candidate pool.

The Benefits of Building Authentic Partnerships

Having an authentic partnership between recruiters and business owners is invaluable. It provides the opportunity to tap into the right talent, develop meaningful relationships, and find opportunities to add value to both parties. Here are a few tips on how to capitalize on the benefits of having an authentic partnership:

1. Utilize Connecting Professionals: Leveraging professional networks and connecting professionals can be a great way to gain access to passive talent pools and build authentic partnerships. By connecting with professionals in your industry, you can create mutually beneficial opportunities for both parties.
2. Focus on Quality: It’s important to remember that quality trumps quantity when it comes to recruitment. Focusing on finding the best-fit candidates for the job will help build trust and create long-term relationships with both the business owner and the recruiter.
3. Open Communication: Having open communication between the business owner and the recruiter is essential for building an authentic partnership. Make sure to keep communication lines open at all times, from the initial interview process to post-placement support. This will help create an atmosphere of trust and understanding.

By taking the time to build genuine relationships with both business owners and recruiters, you can create an environment where everyone is working together towards a common goal. These partnerships will not only benefit the business owner but also benefit the recruiter by connecting them with the right talent for their clients.

How to Build Authentic Partnerships 

When it comes to finding the right talent for a job, recruiters can often be tempted to simply fill the seat with someone that meets the minimum requirements. However, when it comes to true success, it is often important to build a relationship with potential candidates and form an authentic partnership with them. Here are some tips on how to build authentic partnerships in Human Resources:

3. Establish a Recruitment Process: The most important tip to building an authentic partnership with potential employees is to establish a reliable recruitment process. This should include a series of steps that both the recruiter and potential employee go through during the hiring process. Establishing a clear plan of action ensures that everyone is on the same page and reduces the chances of any miscommunication or confusion.
4. Be Transparent: Being transparent with potential employees about their roles, expectations, and company culture is an important part of building an authentic partnership. It’s important to provide accurate and up-to-date information about the role, such as its responsibilities and duties, as well as what to expect from the company culture.
5. Get to Know Candidates: Taking the time to get to know each candidate before making a final decision is key to forming an authentic partnership. Asking meaningful questions during the interview process and taking the time to learn about a candidate’s background, skillset, and experiences will help you find someone that is not only qualified for the job but is also a good fit for your team.
6. Offer Flexibility: Offering flexibility in terms of working hours, remote work opportunities, or other special accommodations can show potential employees that you value their time and input and are open to forming a mutually beneficial partnership.
7. Foster an Open Dialogue: Finally, it’s important to foster an open dialogue between yourself and potential employees throughout the recruitment process. Answering questions honestly and openly, providing feedback in a timely manner, and offering support will all help to build trust and form an authentic partnership.

At the end of the day, the recruiter-employer relationship is a long-term partnership that should benefit both parties. By building true and authentic relationships, recruiters can work together with employers to create successful partnerships that not only benefit the employer but also help candidates find their dream job. These partnerships can lead to better outcomes for both parties and by leveraging each other’s strengths, employers can ensure that they have a steady pipeline of qualified and motivated candidates. With a commitment to authenticity, trust, and collaboration, recruiters and employers alike can experience the rewards of a successful partnership.