The shortage of skilled workers is a problem that many companies are facing. To counteract this, companies are turning to personnel service providers and recruitment agencies, among others. Around 90 % of German companies state that they have problems recruiting specialist staff^.1 In 2019, a recruitment agency was involved in almost 40 % of all job changes^.2 An external service provider can help to bring vacant positions and suitable candidates together. In the best-case scenario, this collaboration simplifies the recruitment process, saves time and brings the right employees into the company. Recruitment agencies are also an interesting way for applicants to find attractive positions.

Recruitment: How does it work?

A personnel service provider searches for and identifies suitable candidates for a client company. The joint needs analysis and creation of a requirements profile is an important basis for the successful recruitment of the right employee. Professional recruiting software, the right recruiting channels and target group-oriented multi-channel posting enable a fast and effective recruiting process. Not only are meaningful candidate profiles created for the client, but potential candidates are also professionally briefed and prepared for interviews. What is particularly attractive about this service is that it does not involve any costs for the applicant - the costs for the recruitment agency are borne by the future employer.

Which companies work with recruitment agencies?

Modern recruiting processes take up a lot of time and valuable resources. HR managers estimate the costs at thousands of euros per recruitment.

For this reason, companies are turning to external service providers. Both large companies and corporations as well as small and medium-sized enterprises fill vacancies via recruitment agencies.
Industries in which the search for personnel is more difficult than elsewhere due to rapid growth, technological change or seasonal fluctuations also like to use recruitment agencies. These include the metal, electrical, automotive, transport and logistics sectors, for example^.3

Recruitment from the applicant's perspective

Recruitment agencies also score highly with applicants: a study conducted by the Recruitment ^Association4 in 2020 shows that 66% of IT and telecommunications specialists rely particularly heavily on recruitment agencies. For technical specialists, such as engineers and electronics technicians, who are also in high demand, the proportion is around 60%. In these areas, companies therefore have a particularly good chance of finding a match with suitable candidates.

Advantages for companies through a recruitment agency or personnel service provider

For companies that do not want to search for employees themselves, filling vacancies through a recruitment agency can have many advantages. The Association for Personnel Placement (VBPV) highlights some of these in its study from last year^.4

Reduce costs and effort

The use of recruitment agencies not only saves time, but also the cost-intensive search for suitable candidates. This is particularly attractive for companies without their own HR department. 85% of the companies surveyed consider the costs for a recruitment agency to be comparatively low or justifiable^.5
The price usually includes the search for personnel, the associated advertisements, the viewing of applications and applicants and the making of a suitable pre-selection. If no suitable candidate is found, no commission should be payable. Study results show that companies are predominantly satisfied with the work of recruitment agencies.

Modern and proven recruitment processes

When working with personnel service providers, companies benefit not only from their candidate pools and networks, but also from their experience and expertise in the field of recruitment. Around 88% of client companies are satisfied or even very satisfied with the industry knowledge of their contacts^.5
They can rely on modern recruitment processes that are tailored to their industry. In addition, personnel service providers also provide support with regard to employment law and contract drafting.

Fast staffing when needed - temporary employment as an alternative

Personnel service providers also help to find employees for a limited period of time. 88.3% of companies state that recruitment is also carried out very promptly here^.5 Particularly in the event of seasonal or market-related fluctuations, a personnel service provider can help companies to quickly find qualified employees for the intended period. The position is then filled as part of a temporary employment agency.

Overview: When does it make sense to commission a recruitment agency with recruitment?

• Lack of resources: If you do not have your own HR department or there is a workload
• High demands: Some positions are difficult to fill because suitable specialists are hard to find
• Time pressure: positions must be filled as quickly as possible
• Discretion: Jobs should not be advertised publicly

According to the company, the candidate profiles provided are professionally qualified (99%) and have the right soft skills (94.6%)^.5 Working with a personnel service provider and commissioning a recruitment agency is therefore definitely worth considering and can be the missing key to success when filling vacancies.