What are recruiters?

Career recruiters identify individuals who may have the qualifications needed for a company’s open roles. They may contact and screen candidates, schedule interviews, negotiate job offers and provide ongoing communication with applicants and hiring managers. You can hire internal recruiters in the human resources (HR) departments or use a third-party recruiting firm.

Benefits of finding a recruiter for your organization

Recruiters use tools and strategies to improve your hiring process. Benefits of working with a recruiter can include:

• Professional relationships: Recruiters typically have connections to professional organizations, other recruiters and past candidates who can help source applicants.

• Tailored recommendations: Recruiters learn your company culture and priorities to recommend applicants who have the skills you need and can add to the culture. They can also help you determine whether contract, part-time or full-time employees may be best for your business.

• Recruiting expertise: Recruiters determine what positions you need filled, the experience and education requirements of similar roles and the type of candidates who may add to your company. This may improve your hiring quality and employee retention rates.

How to find job recruiters

The following steps offer guidance on how to find recruiters for your company.

1. Identify your recruitment needs

Looking at your normal hiring needs can help you decide which type of recruiter to use. This information can also help provide details to your recruiter so they can create a tailored recruitment plan.

You might assess how often you hire new employees, your turnover rate and the types of positions you hire for. Reviewing your staffing plan and potential changes to your staffing can help you anticipate future recruitment needs.

It can also be helpful to identify the skills and qualities you want in your recruiter. For example, you might look for recruiters with industry-specific experience or who use certain recruiting methods.

2. Decide between a direct hire and an agency

A direct hire may be beneficial if your company frequently hires new staff members. Hiring a recruiter as an employee offers dedicated resources for managing high recruitment demands. Internal candidates may also be more invested in your company’s success and better understand the culture and environment.

Recruiting agencies may work well if you hire infrequently or your recruiting needs fluctuate. You might also choose an agency or headhunter if you have specialized or hard-to-fill vacancies.

3. Search for recruiters in different ways

There are many sources for finding a recruiter, including:

• Your network: Talking to other business owners and executives in your industry can provide you with recommendations and information on their experiences.

• Recruiter directories: There are many directories that are free to use to help source recruiters. You may find that directories with subscription fees offer more features to help you decide.

• Online profiles: Many recruiters have an online job profile or portfolio, which can give you an idea of their recruiting process, past metrics and contacts.

• Professional organizations and industry groups: If you’re looking for a recruiter or headhunter who specializes in a particular industry, you might find effective recommendations from professional and industry associations.

4. Evaluate the options

For a direct hire recruiter, you’ll likely use your standard hiring process to evaluate candidates. This may include screening, interviews, assessments, background checks and reference checks.

If you’re hiring a recruiting agency, you can schedule a meeting to learn about their processes and methods. This may give you a chance to ask specific questions and share your recruiting needs to determine if the agency can help your company.

Tips for looking for a recruiter

Consider the following tips on how to find recruiters:

• Positive reviews: If you’re hiring a recruiting agency, you can check for positive reviews and comments on websites like Indeed.

• Command of the recruitment process: Effective recruiters can explain their recruiting process, including how they manage prospects. This information may help you determine whether they can meet your goals.

• Emphasis on quality: Recruiters may help speed up the hiring process, but it’s helpful to balance speed with the quality of applicants to find the type of new hire you want.

• Ease of communication: Recruiters should be available to answer your questions and adjust for changes during the hiring process. Being accessible via phone, email, text and chat options can also help improve communication.

• Commitment to your business: Recruiters are often more effective when they customize their efforts to your needs. If you hire an outside recruiting agency, you might look for a recruiter who treats you as a partner and is invested in your hiring success.

FAQs about how to find recruiters

How are recruiters paid?

Recruiters are usually paid on commission. They typically earn a percentage of the new hire’s first year of salary. The percentage depends on the terms of their contract with the business hiring them. Internal recruiters are often paid a salary and may earn commissions in addition to the base salary.

What’s the difference between a recruiter and a headhunter?

Headhunters often specialize in certain industries or roles, such as IT, engineering or administrative support. Companies might call a headhunter when they have a highly technical role or need to hire someone quickly. Recruiters are usually more involved in the hiring process, including interviewing candidates and working closely with the hiring manager.