When it comes to dealing with defense recruiters or aerospace recruiters, there are some things you'll want to learn before your first interaction with their company. You'll want to know what kinds of defense industry employment they procure for companies, as well as if it is a temporary or permanent job, and what qualifications you'll need to be successful in that job.

So as you begin your cursory education in "recruiting services for aerospace and defense for beginners," think of questions you'd like the answers to before you even deal with aerospace executive recruiters or defense industry employment firms. Aerospace and defence recruiting is a cottage industry all on its own and these quick little tips will help you navigate the waters.

1. Read about aerospace recruiters by viewing and familiarizing yourself with their websites.

2. Learn more about what the process is like when dealing with recruiting services for aerospace and defense.

3. Search databases that cover recruiting services for aerospace and defense.

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Learn about aerospace recruiting by visiting company websites

Take the time to learn about defense and aerospace recruiting services by visiting their websites and learning what kind of employees they provide to companies. Jobs in the aerospace and defense field can range from electrical engineers, to product managers and more. Each of these jobs will have specific qualifications which you should read about before contacting the recruitment agency.

I recommend: Check out the website for Enterprise Supplemental Staffing Agency. They provide defense and aerospace companies with staff in various departments of the field. There's also a "pre-employment screening" you can familiarize yourself with on their website so that you'll know what to expect when you contact the recruiting service. Aerotek is another recruiting company which offers a comprehensive look at what to expect from their recruiting services.

Gain knowledge about what it's like to deal with defense recruiters and aerospace companies

There are some websites online where people who have either worked for recruitment firms or people who have interviewed for jobs with defense and aerospace companies post surveys and testimonials about what the experience was like for their interview. There are other websites that also provide informational articles about the state of defense and aerospace recruitment agencies and companies. Take the time to read up on that information before dealing with the recruitment agencies.

I recommend: Check out the website for Vault.com. They offer both testimonials and sample surveys that potential employees have posted or taken when dealing with defense and aerospace recruiters and companies. This will give you a guide of what to expect. Recruiting Trends, which is a website owned by the parent company Kennedy Information, also offers data and news articles about the breadth of the defense and aerospace industry, including how recruiting services attract and place talent.

Educate yourself by using databases that cover recruiting services for aerospace and defense

When it comes to learning about the recruiting services associated with aerospace and defense, there are a long list of companies to wade through. By searching through databases, you'll be able to narrow down the recruitment agencies in your area. From there you'll learn what kind of companies they recruit for, what types of job they fill, and what will be expected of you as a future employee or what you can expect of the employees if you are the boss in the equation.

I recommend: Check out comprehensive database websites like I-Recruit. They not only offer a list of defense and aerospace recruiters, but a guide as to what each specializes in and what kind of jobs they might be looking to fill. The Online Recruiters Directory also offers a plethora of information. Simply plug in what type of defense or aerospace job you'd like, state what you would like to work in and you are on your way.

Using an aerospace and defense recruit agency provides employers with several advantages when they need to fill open positions. Aerospace and defense recruiters work with an established base of qualified candidates. The recruiters interview and screen every candidate, and check their references before recommending them for hire.

Another benefit an aerospace and defense recruit firm offers is that they work with people who are employed. This gives them a larger group of candidates who are not looking for a job, and gives your company access to individuals who may switch jobs if the offer is right. The next person you hire may be someone not actively seeking a job. Working with aerospace employment agencies can be beneficial, but there are a few things every company should do before working with an aerospace and defense recruiting agency:

1. Outline the qualities you require from any new employee(s) to help the aerospace employment agencies understand all of your expectations and qualifications.

2. Come up with a strict budget you will adhere to during the hiring process.

3. Consult with several aerospace and defense industry employment firms to discuss their services, how much they charge and request references.

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Locate aerospace recruiting firms to fill your open positions

Working with a recruiter is the easiest and most convenient way to manage all of your hiring needs. Contact and interview several agencies to find the one that will work best with you.

I recommend: The recruiting firms Arnold-Hanafin Corporation, Belcan Corporation or Precision Personnel will help you fill engineering and other aerospace and defense positions. Prime Source provides staffing services for the aerospace industry across the United States, Canada and Malaysia.

Work with an aerospace and defense recruit agency that provides candidates with specialized skills

Some recruiting firms are dedicated to filling niche and specialty positions. Find a recruiter that will help you locate and hire the best person for the job.

I recommend: ATR International specializes in placing people in temporary positions within the aerospace and defense industry. CTS International offers recruitment services for candidates with IT and telecommunications backgrounds. M.A. Pelle Associates Inc. specializes in military and defense recruitment services.

Review a directory of companies that provide recruiting services for aerospace and defense

You may want to get in touch with a variety of recruiters before you pick one to work with on an ongoing basis. Browse through a list of agencies that provide personnel for aerospace and defense industry employment.

I recommend: The Online Recruiters Directory and Oya's website offer a list of recruitment agencies that work with aerospace and defense-related companies.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Have the aerospace recruiters you are working with run aptitude tests and psychological profiles for every person they refer to you so you can learn more about all of your potential candidates.
• •  Hire an agency that will only charge your company after you hire a person that they recommend.

Filling positions in the aerospace and defense industry should include a knowledge of permanent and flexible staffing services, acceptable methods in finding talented employees and relocation information. Consider the following recruiting services aerospace and defense key terms to learn more.

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Temporary to direct

Temporary to direct staffing solutions allow employers to assess a candidate's capabilities before actually offering him or her full-time employment. Under this option, recruiters suggest qualified candidates and the employer hires them for a 'trial run' to determine the candidate's fit for full-time employment.

I recommend: Learn more about temporary to direct staffing solutions by visiting ATR International.

Executive recruiters

Executive recruiters help match employers with candidates who posses the skills and experience required to perform specific tasks desired by the employer. The role of executive recruiters is to find candidates who can make an immediate contribution with minimal training.

I recommend: Find out more about executive recruiters for the aerospace and defense industry at the Lucas Group.

Contract staffing

Contract staffing allows employers to fill positions temporarily for specific projects or until a more permanent candidate can be found. The benefit of contract staffing is that you can satisfy short-term needs without having to make long-term commitments to candidates.

I recommend: Find out more about contract staffing at StaffPointe, a recruiting firm that specializes in working with employers in the aerospace and defense industry.

Vendor on-premise (VOP)

Vendor on-premise (VOP) is a staffing solution offered in which recruiters will offer to send a representative or a team of staffing consultants to your workplace to manage contract employees. This solution works well in situations where an employer has a number of temporary or contract staff.

I recommend: Find out more about on-site management of contract staff by visiting Aerotek.

Search solutions

Employers can obtain various types of search solutions from recruiters to find qualified candidates. A retained search means that an employer has paid an upfront fee for candidate searches. Contingent searches indicate that an employer will pay for services when a candidate is placed. Hybrid searches involve components of contingent and retained searches.

I recommend: Find out more about search solutions offered by recruiters at Palladian International.

Security clearance

It's important that you inquire about the steps taken by recruiters to ensure candidates possess active security clearances for defense jobs. Many recruiters offer services to ensure candidates have all required security clearances before submitting them to you as qualified applicants.

I recommend: Find out more about security clearances at the Ashton Search Group.