Important points to consider when selecting any job consultant
The human resource is the first need of every organisation. They hold utmost significance as they help the organisation in getting business. In today’s scenario, searching for a right candidate is very complex, expensive and time consuming procedure. Therefore, companies now hire the services of placement consultants to fulfill their manpower needs instead of publishing the job directly in newspapers.
The primary goal of these agencies is to help companies find suitable and experienced people for the post quickly and efficiently. In India, there are numerous job agencies specialised in specific fields or industries, which provide complete corporate recruitment solution to companies. They assist companies in getting right candidates in a cost effective way, thereby saving the time and money of the company.
Following points one should keep in mind while hiring a consultant:
The primary goal of these agencies is to help companies find suitable and experienced people for the post quickly and efficiently. In India, there are numerous job agencies specialised in specific fields or industries, which provide complete corporate recruitment solution to companies. They assist companies in getting right candidates in a cost effective way, thereby saving the time and money of the company.
Following points one should keep in mind while hiring a consultant:
- Background check: Consultants vary extensively in their skills and capabilities. Some are at the top of their field with years of experience, while others have more recently entered in the consulting trend. Therefore, it is important to check the background/reference of the consultants before hiring their services
- Payment scale: It is advisable to check in advance the prevailing consultants’ retainership fees in the market. This is the biggest mistake many companies make when hiring the services of a job consultant. One need to do both primary and secondary research in order to find out the pay range for these placement services before overpaying
- Contractual agreement: An agreement should be signed between both the parties agreeing the parameters of the relationship, specifying the agreed work and the timeframe in which the work needs to be completed
- Discuss the expenses: There are various expenses that need to be covered other than consultant’s fee. These expenses should be discussed in advance so that it does not come as a shock when they appear on the invoice
- Availability of consultant: Make sure that the consultant should be able to work on your project regularly. A consultant that takes on a job and disappears for most of the time to do another job is usually not an advantage to your business
- Letter of confidentiality: As contractors are free agents, having signed a letter of confidentiality is important so that they may work for your competition after completing your project
- Comprehensive interview: Outsourcing your human resource needs is not a small thing. One needs to be very careful while hiring the placement services of recruitment consultants as they will be involved in the future of your business. One should conduct an in-depth interview before hiring them to check if the consultants possess the basic knowledge of the industry in which you operate. If the consultants are knowledgeable, they will help you get the right talent.
- Clear communication: Lack of clear communication is a common mistake one makes when hiring any placement agency, which leads to numerous complications later on. This should be discussed in advance that what should be done and how it should be done
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