Objectives of a Recruitment Agency

According to the American Staffing Association,12.9 million people obtain employment through staffing and recruiting agencies every year in the United States. Recruiters help bridge the gap between employers and top caliber talent in a way that is profitable for all parties while providing a valuable resource to the community and industries in which they work. Every recruitment agency has a slightly different formula for sourcing candidates and matching talent with employers, but basic objectives are shared by most staffing agencies.

The main focus of a successful recruitment agency is the client relationship. Client development begins with networking to establish relationships with companies either in the geographical area of the agency or in the industry niche in which the agency specializes. Recruiters associated with a client's account are responsible for interpreting the client's needs and the company culture so they can conduct a targeted search for candidates. Client development is an ongoing effort that continues well past the guarantee period associated with a hire.

The quality of the candidates a recruitment agency presents to the client can greatly impact the recruiter's reputation. A recruiter's job is to locate and build a relationship with the top talent in the industry or area in which he recruits. By carefully matching the candidate's skills and experience with the client's hiring needs, the recruiter can be an asset to both the candidate's career and the company's talent pool.

Recruiting and hiring practices are governed by the Equal Opportunity Employment Commission and other state and federal labor laws. Maintaining recruiting practices that are consistent with employment laws while promoting ethical hiring is an objective that recruitment agencies must embrace.

Most recruitment agencies strive to be the go-to source for all things related to hiring and retention. Some firms charge consultation fees to clients for troubleshooting turnover ratios or providing advice on internal recruitment, while others offer these services as part of their relationship development. The overall goal is to become the expert adviser whom clients automatically turn to when they have employment needs.