Being on a recruiter Preferred Supplier List for our clients means establishing some guidelines and rules of engagement so that the work we do for them suits their requirements. So I hear you ask, why should we have recruiters on our PSL? Well, if managed properly there are number of benefits to be gained from using a preferred recruitment consultancy including;
1. Your PSL recruiter will know your company values and culture inside out, so when you have a new assignment they can deliver the highest quality of candidate’s every time.
2. The overall time spent on each assignment will be reduced as PSL recruiters will be familiar with your processes, key contacts, knowing when to expect results and what type of communication is necessary.
3. There may be a reduction in overall costs because fixed fees, rebate periods and payment terms can be negotiated to suit both parties.
4. Your PSL recruiter acts as an extension of your in-house recruitment team and advocates of your employer brand. Recruiters will deliver feedback from the candidate market to allow you to develop an understanding of the market’s feelings towards your employer-brand.
5. Your PSL recruiter will always be ready take on an assignment when you need them either at a moment’s notice or to pipeline talent well in advance and have the resources and coverage to handle the sourcing for any vacancy. Unfortunately, PSLs don’t always work as they should. Part of the reason for this is that employers will understandably work with recruiters outside of their PSL if they receive the details of a perfect candidate from a recruiter.
Here’s a few tips to make your PSL more worthwhile;
- Don’t restrict communication between recruiters and line managers. Direct conversation between the recruiter and the line manager ensures we recruit exactly to the manager's requirements can reduce the recruitment timescale, making for much more efficient process.
- Take time to meet with your PSL recruiter to help and build a solid and relaxed relationship, and increase your recruiter's understanding of your company to the benefit of your recruitment plans.
- Always use a specialist consultancy who only recruit within the market in which you operate; this means your recruiter already knows the best candidates in your sector.
- Complete quarterly reviews of your preferred suppliers to monitor efficiency and volume and provide verifiable metrics of their work.
Our part to play as the recruiter is to act proactively, never just sitting back and waiting for the vacancies to roll in. If each party understands their role in the PSL, lasting and rewarding relationships can be built. If you put time and effort into building a constructive relationship with your PSL recruiter, you will reap the benefits in the long term, with a consistently maintained talent pipeline, making recruitment headaches a thing of the past.
