Recruitment has always been a critical part of business operations worldwide. Today, you can see this task performed by internal recruiters, such as HR departments, and by outsourcing with staffing agencies. However, in both cases, it is how much staffing recruiters search for potential candidates that determines their success.
In this article, we will dig deep into how the best staffing recruiters search for potential candidates for job positions.
1. What is a candidate search?
A candidate search refers to the process of actively seeking and identifying potential job candidates for a specific position or role within an organization. It involves utilizing various methods and resources to identify individuals who possess the desired skills, qualifications, and experience for the job.
The candidate search process typically begins with defining the requirements and qualifications for the position. This includes identifying the necessary skills, education, experience, and any specific criteria needed for successful performance in the role.
2. In which ways do staffing recruiters search for candidates?
The evolution of the staffing business came as a result of using the available tools to improve the recruitment of HR support staff and other workers in different areas. Above all, the biggest of such tools that have completely changed the business is the internet.
Now, staffing recruiters use several ways to search for candidates. In essence, they use methods that highlight and certify candidates’ skills and work behavior. This way, they increase the possibility of finding the right person for the available position. Moreover, interconnectivity has made a candidate’s search a global task, opening the door to seeking candidates on a worldwide level. Hence, using the available tools properly can make you even find the right candidate on the other side of the globe.
Let us now show you in detail the seven ways staffing recruiters search for candidates today:
2.1 Career Sites and job boards
It is by far the way with the highest number of available candidates to search for. Career sites and job boards have millions of resumes stored in their database. They can be classified by experience levels, geographical locations, and type of industry, among others.
Furthermore, career sites and job boards are the perfect methods for candidates that prefer a passive job search. You can upload your resume, and hope for recruiters to find you when an opportunity that matches your qualifications appears.
2.2 LinkedIn
LinkedIn is one of the most popular recruiting tools nowadays in the staffing business. Its easiness of use allows recruiters to search for candidates based on their work history, college, or job title. Here, recruiters can find the most experienced workers in their area. For instance, they can search for the most talented individuals for the vacant position and select the most professional ones to fill their vacancies.
2.3 Applicants Tracking Systems (ATS)
Of the seven ways posted here, this is the most technical one. Applicants tracking systems work by running keyword searches on resumes submitted online to their database. When recruiters have an open role, they can run such searches in the ATS to populate and rank candidates. Consequently, candidates must upload resumes with content that closely matches the job description to rank highly in the ATS.
2.4 Networking events
Despite all the technological advances that have made recruiters’ and candidates’ life easier, some still prefer face-to-face networking. Thus, attending job fairs, meet-ups, conferences, and other networking events is still a great way to make connections. Most importantly, in such events, recruiters are everywhere. Candidates can use these events to impress them with their industry know-how, looking to make a lasting impression.
2.5 Employee referrals
Companies and staffing agencies can use all the available tools to determine if a candidate will have the right behavior. However, this activity becomes easier by working with candidates referred by employees at their company. It is also the same case by working with candidates that the recruiter previously placed.
Indeed, referrals tend to be strong candidates, because they have proven their reliability to employees willing to recommend them. This is even an encouraged practice in some companies that give a monetary incentive to employees who recommend candidates.
2.6 Social media platforms
Today, social media is not only about making friends, memes, and the latest news. It is also about staffing and how companies are now using them to search for candidates or post job offers. Most companies realized that their presence and influence on social media can improve sales. Now, it can also improve recruitment, with companies now having billions of potential candidates at their disposal.
However, a simple candidate search will not do the trick here. Social media platforms must be used intentionally and strategically to find the right candidates for a certain role.
2.7 Examining your existing candidate pool
By using all the previously mentioned ways to search for candidates, staffing agencies and recruiters build their candidate pool. They can store this information in several ways, such as an Excel spreadsheet or recruitment software. Now, when a new vacant position appears, recruiters can save time and resources by reviewing their candidate pool first. This way, they can find the right candidates easier, ensuring to deliver workers with adequate skills for the job.
3. Where can I find more information about staffing recruiters?
Searching for the right candidate for the job is the goal of every staffing agency in the world. On Connect Staff, we believe in doing meaningful work for you, by providing the staffing services you require. We can find the best candidates you need.
Do you have some questions about staffing services? Take a moment to contact us and obtain more information about how we can help you, by calling us at +971 43 316 688. You can also email us at contact@connectstaff.ae, to talk with one of our representatives who will clarify all your doubts.
