5 Signs You Need an IT Recruitment Partner (And How to Choose One)
At Apache Associates we speak to hiring managers across the UK who have a common challenge, finding and securing the right IT talent, quickly and reliably. The market is competitive, technology is evolving fast and many teams are at capacity.
If you are considering working with an IT recruiter, here are five signs it’s time to bring in an IT recruitment partner and how to choose one that adds value to your business.
1. Your Roles Are Taking Too Long To Fill
If your IT vacancies are open for months, it can be more than an inconvenience. Long hiring times can:
- Delay projects & product launches
- Increase workload & stress on your existing team
- Damage your reputation with candidates
An IT recruiter should know where to find the skills you need, have access to passive candidates and be able to shorten the time from brief to offer. If you keep re advertising and not finding the right people, it’s an indicator you need specialist support.
2. You Get Lots Of CVs But They Aren’t Right
Job boards can bring a lot of applications but not always quality candidates. If you have a lot of applicants but your shortlist is empty it means that you are losing valuable time on:
- Screening unsuitable applicants
- Conducting unnecessary interviews
- Re writing adverts that still don’t work
A good tech recruiter will screen candidates for technical and cultural fit as well as salary expectations to arrange interviews worth your time.
3. You Can’t Assess Tech Skills
Not all businesses have technical expertise especially in new areas like cloud, AI, DevOps or cyber security. This can make it difficult to judge if a candidate’s skills match their CV, if they can perform at the required level and how they compare to the talent market.
A specialist recruitment agency should understand the tech involved, know what good work is and work with you to design an assessment process.
4. You Are Losing Candidates To Competitors
Have you recently had good candidates accept offers elsewhere or drop out late in the process? This often comes down to:
- Slow decision making
- Unclear or uncompetitive salary & benefits
- Poor candidate experience
The right recruiter will help you benchmark salaries, improve your process and manage candidate expectations so you can move quickly and present your job role in the best way.
5. Hiring Is Distracting From Your Real Role
As a leader it is likely that your time is best spent on strategy and results, not hiring. If hiring is taking too much time away from core duties, outsourcing can help with sourcing, headhunting, screening calls, reference checking and offers.
A recruitment agency should act as an extension of your team, so you can focus on your core responsibilities and have control over hiring decisions.
How To Choose The Right IT Recruitment Partner
When you have decided to get help from a recruiter, choosing the right one is important.
1. Specialism & Track Record
- Do they focus on IT & technology vacancies?
- Can they show recent success with similar positions & salaries?
- Are they comfortable recruiting permanent & contract staff?
2. Market Knowledge & Advice
Look for a recruitment agency who can offer advice and bring you strong applications. You will need honest feedback on salary levels and role expectations, advice on how to make your vacancy stand out and knowledge of IT talent pools.
3. Quality Processes & Communication
Ask a potential IT recruiter how they:
- Qualify candidates
- Keep you informed
- Represent your brand
You want to feel like they truly understand your business and values, as well as have clear communication that is consistent and straightforward.
4. Clear Terms
Make sure you are comfortable with their fees and payment terms, rebate or replacement guarantees and exclusivity or retained agreements. Your relationship should feel like a partnership not a quick transaction.
Working With Apache Associates
As a London IT recruitment agency, Apache Associates work closely with employers and hiring managers to remove hiring challenges. If any of these signs feel familiar we’d be happy to discuss how we can support your hiring plans, provide advice into the current market and help you secure the IT talent you need. Get in touch with our specialist tech recruitment team today.