What technologies do staffing agencies or executive recruitment firms use to promote their candidates to prospective employers?
Information Technology is now the primary driver of product differentiation and competitive advantage. I'd love to hear how staffing agencies or executive recruitment firms leverage technology to promote their candidates to prospective employers.
Expert Answers
Sort by Date
Sort by Votes
May 31, 2014
Hi Sterling,
Technology helps us in bridging gaps.The executive search firms/ Staffing agencies are working around newer ways of cutting edge advantage :
1. Using Technology and online portals for capturing the Candidate Database with their interest areas( their own portal), Job Portals, Social Media etc.
2. Psychometric tests and drivers to help get a well rounded view of the candidate.
3. Skill test before they can call then as potential candidates!
4.Blogs to keep their active candidate community active by creating alumini base!
Once these agencies have well rounded view, they approach the employers with not just resume but a complete professional writeup.
Cheers
Rabia
May 29, 2014
Can you pose the question of reaching clients and prospective candidates vs the companies? It's communicating via email as far as I know but not with larger firm and had clients large financial institutions.
May 29, 2014
Hello Sterling , As I know these recruitment agencies try to their best to promote candidates according to employers requirements but its not that way always -in some cases they get the right candidate for the right post but in some cases where they don"t find the required person exactly they go for lower qualifications , especially if the required candidate ask for very high salary , or they just go for the alternatives in order to same time ,thats why some companies make interview & written questionnaire for the candidates , I was in this filed for short time , I can say its not perfect 100& but at least it saves time of the company & up-to 70 % it can ok .
May 28, 2014
If the role is client/customer facing, a video answering some basic questions gives the recruiting company a good idea of how the person reacts and comes across. This is key for say a sales position or health professional.
May 28, 2014
Sterling,
You said: "Information Technology is now the primary driver of product differentiation and competitive advantage."
I simply don't agree. Unless you're selling technology or a process driven technology, quite often the differentiator is the customer experience, be it helpline, after care, etc.
Technology is an enabler, because if you're a stupid business, you will do stupid business, however good the technology underpinning your processes.
OK, it could save your arse on occasions, but it isn't what makes the difference.
I'm sure there are examples people will now show us, but I cannot think of one
.
May 28, 2014
I see a lot of social media being used. There is a staffing agency in Boston where I live that interviews only through social media. There is no other form that they use. With Skype and Hangouts, this is a powerful tool for agencies to use.
May 28, 2014
LinkedIn for connections to candidates; jigsaw for random candidate search; no on twitter, no on Bullhorn, etc ---
May 28, 2014
I love the idea of a recorded interview sent via email, video would be even better. I don't know of any out of the box software that would accomplish this but I do know you could tailor our software (shameless Infusionsoft plug) to accomplish just about any situation. Would love to see what things people have found that work and would love to work with an agency or executive recruiting firm to develop a custom solution as a case study.
Good question Sterling!
May 28, 2014
I meant to say they are recorded videos. There are a few companies doing this now. Thanks.
May 27, 2014
Talent sourcing, social sourcing and tracking softwares are used to talent track prospective candidates.
May 27, 2014
An emerging trend I see is agencies recording an interview with the candidate and presenting that to the prospective employer along with the other candidate material. Along with the recorded interview, notes and work flow rules can be added. Interview Stream is an example company provider. (Not a plug, just an example). I suspect this will become the norm within a few years.
May 28, 2014
I completely agree. It's disruptive innovation in it's purest form.
Great insights Martin. What are your thoughts on the intangibles like cultural fit, personality, attitude, etc. Does video also have a role to play here?
-S