Seven Benefits Of Partnering With An Independent Recruiter

6th June 2011, the day my recruitment career started.

After 6 prosperous years with a FTSE 250 global agency, I found myself exploring the possibility of setting up my own business. I spent a couple of years freelancing and accumulating valuable construction industry experience before finally registering Watsham Consulting - my very own recruitment consultancy offering financial recruitment services to the property, construction and engineering industries.

Now I’ve been fortunate enough to experience recruitment at both ends of the headcount spectrum, I have ample knowledge to draw my own conclusions on the benefits of partnering with an independent recruiter. Here are my top seven:

1. You’ll be partnering with an individual who has an excellent approach to doing business

There are thousands of recruiters out there – good and bad. By ‘bad’ I’m referring to recruiters who fit the ‘cowboy’ or ‘shark’ stereotype. You rarely find these types working independently and operating a flourishing business.

 Why?

 Because those who work independently have different attributes. Attributes which make them successful not only as a recruiter but as a business owner too; humility, honesty, empathy, and - if they’re anything like me - an overbearing sense of worry! Worry whether they’re capable of running their own company, worry that they’ll never win any new business and worst of all, worrying that they’ll somehow let their candidates and clients down - just me?

 But these characteristics are what make ME successful in business, and these attributes are the core values which drive Watsham Consulting

 “It’s rare in this day and age to find a company which actually operates in accordance with the statements on its website; providing a personal, communicative, honest and reliable recruiting experience”

Managing Director, Regional Housebuilder

2. You’ll have access to the greatest candidates out there

By working with an independent recruiter some fear it could limit their ability to reach the best people.

I understand the logic; large agency equals wider spread but GDPR nicely quashes that theory - there’s no benefit to having a large database which is out of date and uncontactable.

Secondly, an independent recruiter is likely to have fewer overheads, allowing them to invest more profoundly into their infrastructure.

Infrastructure = reach.

3. An independent recruiter will treat you, your business and your requirements with the utmost respect

An independent recruiter is more likely to need your business. Every vacancy is an opportunity for them to pay their mortgage, be rewarded with a positive testimonial and to prove their worth against the competition.

With their personal reputation and livelihood on the line, they’re entirely devoted.

 4. You won’t fall victim to performance targets

Recruitment is a sales-based role and performance is often monitored by targets. With internal pressures to work fast and hit high volumes of output, quality of service can be lacking.

 As an independent recruiter, the only targets we work towards are those set by our clients which are unique to each vacancy. We don’t work towards commission thresholds and we're not under pressure to bombard our clients with CV’s in the hope that ‘some might stick’.

 Instead, our only objective is to offer an outstanding recruitment service which is highly specialised and efficient.

5. You won’t be competing against other clients

Independent recruiters usually identify as experts within their chosen market. By operating within such a small niche, they’re less likely to have large portfolios of clients all seeking the same profiles.

When you partner with an independent recruiter, you’ll have first refusal to the most suitable candidates available.

6. Your independent recruiter will go the extra mile, every time

Because the greatest reward for an independent recruiter is repeat business.

7. Value

 With the above being said, it’s clear to see how an independent recruiter can add value to your recruitment process, but there’s more!

 An independent recruiter can support you in ways you may not expect – our service doesn’t just start with a vacancy. We can help determine job parameters, draft job descriptions and advise on organisational structures. We regularly help clients identify their recruitment needs months before they even have sign-off.

 What’s more, as industry specialists we speak to candidates and companies within our niche every day. It’s our business to know who’s recruiting and who’s looking for work. When you register a vacancy with Watsham Consulting, in most cases, we can recommend candidates who are already registered with us and actively looking.

 By partnering with Watsham Consulting you aren’t just benefiting from expert industry knowledge, you’re also profiting from a decade of recruitment expertise.

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At Watsham Consulting, we pride ourselves on offering a consultative recruitment service which isn’t just effective – it’s outstanding.

 Our clients value our expertise and precision above all else and most importantly to me, they consider Watsham Consulting a trusted partner, not ‘just a recruiter’. 

 If you’re ready to work collaboratively with an industry specialist and experience first-hand the benefits of working with an independent recruiter, contact Watsham Consulting on 0118 469 3089 or natalie@watshamconsulting.com