For companies, sometimes it can be challenging to work with a recruiter. You are already swamped with everyday business practices, which makes it difficult to allow time to describe to the recruiter the type of person you need for your position. The last thing you want is for your desires for the new hire to get lost in translation. Here is my opinion of the top 5 best practices when working with a recruiter to make life easier for your company.

 
1. Share with your recruiter as many details as possible about the position you wish to fill. Define the tangible and intangible skills that the person must have. The recruiter must talk with human resources and the hiring manager to gather a complete list of duties and responsibilities for the new hire. These details may include benefits package, relocation assistance, compensation, bonuses, and stock options.

2. Give reasons why someone should leave their current job to work for your company. Describe the culture of the company and give examples of opportunities to advance their career with your organization.

3. Establish a clear understanding of how the recruiter should best communicate with key stakeholders within the company. Decide on a communication preference to allow free flow of information between the recruiter and company. Top caliber candidates do not remain in the job market long. Open communication and timely feedback between the company and recruiter will ensure that you do not lose the best candidate to another job opportunity.

4. Define a timeline to conduct the search. Discuss the amount of time needed to find candidates, when your company can interview, and when you want the new hire to begin working.

5. Describe the most successful people in your company and what qualities and skills they posses. What is the prior work experience of successful people in your company? Establish target companies where the new person might be employed, possibilities may include competitors.

-Doug Coley

Coley Company is an executive search firm located in Greensboro, N.C. With more than 25 years of search experience, Coley Company places candidates within the Apparel, Fabric, Fiber, and Nonwoven industries. Working on both a retained and contingency basis, Coley Company, works only with the best companies.