How to know if your recruiter is an industry expert

How to know if your recruiter is an industry expert

“My current recruiter will take on any role, even when they know nothing about the sector”.

This is what a prospective client told us on a call the other day.  And it’s certainly not an isolated case.

One of the most common reasons that hiring companies choose to work with Leonid is because of our intricate knowledge of the sectors we recruit for.

We only take on roles that fall within our areas of specialism because we are driven to provide a gold standard service.  We will never put forward unqualified or inexperienced candidates. If the talent pool is small, we relish the challenge of discovering new talent when no-one else can. 

So, if you are looking to fill a role and you want to be confident that your chosen recruiter really understands your market (and doesn’t just talk a good game), then here are some things to watch out for:

Meet face to face

Meeting face to face – whether on a video call or in-person – will enable you to really ‘test’ your consultant on their market knowledge (as well as ensuring there is chemistry).  If they retain good eye contact and speak confidently, reference case studies and talk about issues affecting the industry, then you will feel reassured.

Ask direct questions

The following can help you screen potential recruiters for their expertise:

  • How long have you been recruiting in this sector?
  • Which other clients do you work with in this sector?
  • Do you have any testimonials from candidates you have placed?
  • How do you keep up to date with our industry?
Check out the recruiter’s blog page

Recruiters who care about the industries they serve will stay on top of current trends and talking points. Check out their website to see how often they are sharing news and insights – do they instil a sense of confidence as true thought leaders?

Read the testimonials – from both clients and candidates

Look for comments with respect to subject matter expertise. A recruiter who processes high volumes of vacancies can easily secure good reviews, but pay close attention to the wording – are there references to knowledge, understanding and strong client relationships?

Your choice of recruiter can really transform the process of hiring new team members, and one of the highest indicators of a really great recruiter is one who absolutely understands the market they recruit for.  With the right industry knowledge and experience, they will be keenly focused on finding those candidates with exactly the right skills and personality for your organisation, thereby eliminating any risk of time wasted.

 

Recruiting with Leonid could save you up to 10 hours on the recruitment process, thanks to our team’s industry knowledge, combined with efficiency-creating tools such as our LeonidLive video shortlists.

To find out more about recruiting the Leonid way, don’t hesitate to get in touch!