How to find the best recruitment agency for your vacancies

Finding and selecting the right marketing recruitment agency can be a daunting task. To help you make the best choice for your business, here are some key tips to keep in mind:

1. Do your research

Look for marketing recruiters specialising in your particular industry or niche who have a positive track record. Check their website, ask for references and read reviews to ensure they’re a good fit.  Take a look at their LinkedIn Company Page, which will enable you to establish if their core expertise is a good fit for the marketing roles you are hiring for.  How many followers does their company page have?  The more, the better, as this is a good illustration of how extensive their marketing network is.

If a marketing recruiter has approached you, check out their LinkedIn profile, and in particular take a look at their recommendations towards the bottom of their profile - again, the more recommendations, the better.

2. Clarify your needs 

Before you approach any marketing recruitment agencies, make sure you have a clear understanding of your recruitment needs. Identify the marketing roles you need to fill and the type of candidate you’re looking for.  Are you hiring for senior marketing roles, for example, a 'Head of Marketing', 'Marketing Director' or 'CMO'?  If so, you might want to find an agency that offers headhunting or retained search services.

3. Consider your budget

Get an idea of the fees and costs associated with recruitment agencies before you make a decision. Make sure you understand their payment terms and conditions.  What rebate scheme do they offer, just in case a candidate doesn't work out?  

Important to remember that cheaper is not better when it comes to selecting an agency partner. The adage that you 'pay for what you get' often applies when you are selecting a recruitment partner.  The cost of making a bad hire because you partnered with the wrong recruiter is typically far, far higher than the difference in fees that are charged between a good agency and a poor one. So invest wisely.

4. Ask the right questions 

When you’re talking to recruitment agencies, make sure you ask the right questions. Find out how they source marketing candidates, the timeline of their recruitment process, and the type of support they offer. How do they go above and beyond in terms of identifying, attracting and placing the best marketers? 

By following these tips, you can find and select the best recruitment agency for your marketing team.

Author

Simon Johnston, founder of Marketing Talent, a leading marketing recruitment agency based in London, UK.