I may have the answer- and it's probably not what you think. read this & tell me what you think.
Firstly, let’s rewind a bit.
Before the internet revolution, recruiters had a secret weapon: their database.
Employers relied on recruiters to access the best talent, often engaging multiple agencies in a competitive, contingent model to do so. Back then, this made sense because reach was the true value.
Fast forward to 2024.
With technology like LinkedIn & job platforms, all recruiters have access to the same talent pool. Yet, the majority of employers still use multiple recruiters competitively, but not just to secure the best talent, hoping to secure the best deal?
Here's the truth we all know: this system isn't working properly for anyone.
Why Contingent Recruitment Is Broken? Here are the symptoms.
- For Employers: Through recruiter competition, they’re drowning in resumes, inconsistently vetted candidates & endless offers of recruiter coffee meetings. Recruitment is now a time sink.
- For Candidates: The process is mostly transactional & cold. They’re often left in the dark, treated as numbers & transactions, not people.
- For Recruiters: With only a 25% success rate & a fear of losing their job, recruiters are forced to prioritise speed over quality. The result? Burnout, high turnover & a dwindling focus on client & candidate care.
So what's driving this issue? The root cause?
In my opinion, employers focus on cost savings over quality. Recruiter margins are squeezed, rates capped & volume-based rebates demanded. But while some cost is saved (a % or margin is quite small in the big picture), the hidden costs—longer time-to-hire, poor hires, business inefficiencies & employer brand degradation—grow. It's like self-sabotage!
Is Exclusive Recruitment the answer?
Volume recruitment (BPO) & executive search avoid these pitfalls because they’re almost always conducted on an exclusive basis.
Exclusivity gives recruiters the time, resources & confidence to focus on quality. They know they will be successful (if they're good enough)! It creates accountability, aligns priorities & builds partnerships that deliver real results.
Think of real estate.
Sellers engage one agent, ensuring dedicated marketing, staging & buyer engagement. Imagine if multiple agents competed to sell the same property. Sloppy marketing, disjointed communication & a poor experience would follow.
Sound familiar? That’s what happens in recruitment today.
If we embrace these principles, recruitment can return to its true purpose: respectfully connecting the right talent with the right opportunities at the right time.
What do you think? Is it time for a change in recruitment?
Let’s discuss in the comments.
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