Busting the Myths of External Recruiting

As business competition intensifies, the role of top talent in driving success becomes more pronounced. The decision to fill a role with the right candidate can be a game-changer for your business. However, the hiring process is not without its challenges. It’s time-consuming, complex, and cumbersome. This is where an external recruiter can add significant value, offering their expertise to help your business thrive.

Let’s bust some of the myths surrounding partnering with an external recruiter!

Myth: “It’s too hard to find an external recruiter with the right industry experience.”

You’d be surprised at how diverse an external recruiter’s industry experience can be! External recruiters are equipped with industry-specific knowledge to help with various tasks within the recruitment process. They bring high-level talent to your company and are experienced in writing job descriptions, choosing appropriate salaries, and tailoring application questions to fit the role. Partnering with an external recruiter can prevent losing a candidate in a competitive job market due to compensation issues. They provide valuable advice and insights into compensation benchmarking, considering external competition, indirect compensation, regional/national salary averages, and the position itself. When you hire an external recruiter, you are investing in their expertise and specialized skills, optimizing the recruitment process for all stakeholders involved.

Myth: “We can find the best talent on our own.”

External recruiters have access to a vast, diverse talent pool and a well-cultivated network. They fill job roles for a living and may have a list of candidates ready for specific roles. Their extensive network allows them to reach passive candidates, expanding the talent pool significantly. Studies show that 73% of potential candidates are passive job seekers who are employed but open to new opportunities (Zippia, 2023). Therefore, having more candidates to choose from increases the likelihood of finding the perfect fit for your open position.

Myth: “Someone who doesn’t work here won’t understand our company culture.”

An external recruiter’s job is to assess candidates’ skills and personality to ensure alignment with your company’s culture. Their unbiased perspective and experience in crafting interview questions help gauge compatibility effectively. From the job applicant’s point of view, a company’s culture and values are crucial, and a skilled recruiter can assess this compatibility through sourcing and interviews.

Myth: “It would be faster if we hire them ourselves.”

External recruiters are equipped with the skills to find the perfect match for your company’s open roles quickly and cost-effectively. Their streamlined recruitment process, extensive network, and knowledge of matching candidates to companies can reduce time-to-hire by 60% while improving quality (Builtin.com, 2021). This efficiency saves money and makes the recruitment process more productive for your company.

Myth: “It would save so much money if we hired someone internally!”

Hiring costs, including ads, job postings, and time spent sourcing and screening candidates, can range from $4,000 to $20,000, not including salary and benefits. Expedite the recruitment process with an external recruiter to save money and keep candidates engaged. Studies show that 60% of candidates quit due to a lengthy or strenuous recruitment process (Zippia, 2021). Choosing cost-effective hiring solutions demonstrates financial prudence and responsibility.

Myth: “We should manage recruiting new hires ourselves!”

One of the main reasons in-house recruitment takes longer is that internal recruiters often juggle multiple responsibilities simultaneously. Hiring an external partner for your company’s recruitment needs allows your employees to focus on their core tasks while alleviating the burden of recruitment. Even if your company has an internal HR team, an external recruitment partner can handle the time-consuming recruitment process, freeing up your internal team.

For instance, recruiters typically spend seven to ten workdays sourcing talent for a role (Jobvite, 2022). If an internal employee or team were responsible for recruiting, those seven or more days would detract from their ability to focus on advancing the business. The lengthy hours required to search for a few great candidates can be so time-consuming that internal employees may become distracted and shift their focus away from the company’s core needs.

Myth: “It isn’t worth it to hire an external recruitment partner!”

Hiring an external recruitment firm significantly reduces the risk of a bad hire. External recruiters have reliable processes for thoroughly checking candidates’ experience, quality, and culture fit. A bad hire can cost up to 30% of their first-year earnings, averaging a loss of $24,000, and negatively impact employee morale and productivity (Bradshaw 2024). Leveraging external recruiters’ skills and expertise mitigates these risks, ensuring better hiring decisions and a more productive workplace.

Hiring an external recruitment partner offers numerous advantages that contribute to your business’s success while alleviating the stress of finding the right candidate. From leveraging industry-specific knowledge and accessing a broader talent pool to reducing time-to-hire and improving cost efficiency, external recruiters bring invaluable expertise to today’s competitive business landscape. They ensure your company prioritizes success, allowing your internal team to focus on core business activities and enhancing overall HR functions. Partnering with an external recruitment firm leads to more effective placements, increased employee morale, and a more productive workplace, driving your company to its fullest potential!

Experience the Lakeside Difference

At Lakeside HR Group, our repeat clients consistently highlight how we stand out positively from the rest. When you choose Lakeside as your recruiting partner, you will experience a truly unique approach to recruitment. Our dedicated team goes above and beyond to ensure client satisfaction, and we can’t wait to work with you.

Ready to experience the difference? Contact us today and discover why so many clients choose Lakeside HR Group for their recruiting needs.