When you want a clogged sink fixed, do you call the electrician? Probably not – you want a plumber. How about when it comes to hiring an employee for a highly specialized position in, say, commercial construction, energy, or manufacturing fields? Some companies may call a generalized staffing firm that would perform a candidate search, but what’s the point if the agency isn’t familiar with the industry? One size fit’s all staffing agencies may be ideal for generalized work. However, when it comes to large capital projects like those in commercial construction, hiring managers opt for specialized staffing agencies that live and breathe the industry.
The hiring landscape across all industries remains competitive, and niche markets are no exception. According to Monster’s 2022 Future of Work Report, nine out of 10 companies are struggling to fill positions, while finding candidates with the right skills is also a primary concern amongst employers. Sure, some staffing companies do it all, but here are some key reasons why working with a specialized staffing firm will give companies a more significant return on their investment and an edge over the competition.
1. Access to a Larger Talent Pool
Perhaps the biggest benefit of working with a firm specializing in your niche is that they already know what you need and the type of employee experience you’re looking for. While a general staffing firm may try to do a good job, at the end of the day, they don’t have as great of a grasp on what your unique needs are going to be. For example, let’s say you are in the energy sector and need to find an engineer. A general staffing firm isn’t typically going to have a database on hand for this type of candidate – it will take them longer to find the right person. On the other hand, a specialized firm can readily draw on its database of candidates.
2. Fewer Mistakes
Clients don’t have time to deal with candidates that may look good on paper but don’t have the skills they need at the end of the day. A specialized staffing firm removes the guesswork that is too common in the hiring process. Since it specializes in your area of interest, they already know what you’re looking for, and you don’t have to explain over and over again what type of candidate you need.
3. Quicker Hiring Process
You want to work with a staffing firm to save time and improve your hiring process. By going with a specialized firm, you will be sure of meeting these goals and much more.
According to senior recruiter Kate Gagnon, Finding highly specialized applicants in the energy and commercial construction fields is full-time work. These senior-level individuals are particular to their industry and competitively compensated.
4. Quality Candidates
Recruiters often have more extensive contacts, stronger relationships, and more powerful networks than generalist recruiters who spread their resources over a much broader territory. Niche staffing firms are also fully embedded in your marketplace and are well-versed in industry terminology, job requirements, and hiring obstacles.
5. Higher Cost Savings
The specialization and efficiency of working with a niche staffing firm save valuable time and money during the hiring process. The last thing a hiring manager wants to experience is having the perfect candidate decline an employment offer after investing the time and resources to find the candidate in the first place. Niche recruiters have such high acceptance rates because they will not present a potential candidate to a client if there is uncertainty in their willingness to accept the position if offered.
6. Market Knowledge
A specialized staffing agency grasps the level and quantity of qualified candidates within the marketplace. As a result, they can tell you where you need to look, how competitive the specific market may be, and what you need to do to attract these candidates.
The last thing a hiring manager wants to experience is having the perfect candidate decline an employment offer after investing the time and resources to find the candidate in the first place. Niche recruiters have such high acceptance rates because they will not present a potential candidate to a client if there is uncertainty in their willingness to accept the position if offered.
Don’t let your recruiting process keep you from hiring top talent. At FootBridge, our experienced recruiters specialize in helping our clients streamline the hiring process to attract and hire top talent. Contact us today to learn more.