subject: The Different Types Of Recruitment Agencies And How They Work? [print this page] There are basically two types of recruitment agencies available in todays economic society although the computer age is showing up in this arena also. Hiring one of these firms saves the client company the man hours used by staff for an employment search and in the long run saves them money. The two main sources are employment agencies and the retained search firm and both are considered fixed-fee recruitment. Each fills different needs so it would depend on what level of position is being pursued, as to what type of agency to employ. The other media is using the World Wide Web such as Facebook. Any of these different ways that employment openings can be filled can be cost effective since all employees in the client company can then continue to do their normal job instead of searching for potential applicants.
The first is the employment agency and they provide selected candidates to clients needing entry level to middle management positions filled. Some specialize in a specific field. They take applications and pre-screen them for likely candidates. The agency then sends a list of those they believe are most suitable on to the employer or clients company for a possible second interview. They operate by charging a fee to the contracted employer once a referred applicant has been hired. If it is a capable agency this choice can be very cost effective.
The second type is a retained search firm or recruitment firm. These companies are generally hired to fill positions that are senior level positions. In many cases this is more cost effective than if they were to pursue filling the position themselves. They act more like an employee of the client firm and are paid whether they fill the position or not. Yet if they do fill the position they are paid an additional fee. Many already have applicants in a database so they just have to compile a list and forward to the client. If by chance they don't they can easily advertise. Some specialize in a specific field.
Some employers now post job openings on their or their company's Facebook page and some employers post a job opening link on the company's web page so as to have access to anyone wanting to apply and send their resume. The statistics showing employee hiring using social media has almost doubled in the last year. Or there are still others that post to the job search engines or recruitment websites.
Of all of these different forms of recruitment, the retained search firm is considered the foremost in the fixed fee recruitment since they receive a fee for rather they find a candidate or not and then an extra fee if one of their candidates are selected.
