Human Resources

To outsource or in-source – the big recruitment question

Inez van Aswegen, General Manager, Network IT Recruitment

The shortage of skills, the changing business landscape and the diverse demands of candidates have created a recruiting picture that looks very different from previous years. The dynamics posed by these requirements and the shrinking talent pool have certainly created a challenge for human resources and recruiting alike. Consequently, many organisations are questioning the option of in-house recruitment and are looking to outsourcing as a solution.

While undertaking the process internally usually allows for consistent procedures and processes to be aligned and the understanding of the internal culture and competencies required, outsourcing allows for a network of resources and more decision makers to become involved in the process. Weighing up the pros and cons is essential but how do you know if outsourcing your recruitment is the right move for your business?

Firstly, it is important to know why you are outsourcing the recruitment process. Possible reasons for this include to improve efficiency of finding quality candidates, or to save the company valuable time and costs when undertaking the process internally, and lack of internal recruiting skills.

Secondly, it is essential to know what type of candidates you are looking for and, consequently, what you are looking for in an outsourced partner. Important factors to consider when looking for a recruitment partner include: a proven track record; that the potential agency specialises in your field of operations is willing to invest the time, money and resources necessary to get to know your business and its specific requirements intimately; and that it implements best practices in terms of methodology and consulting.

Finally, you need to bring the two together to find a balance. If you can find an agency that is able to meet your internal needs and is willing to become a recruitment partner to the business, then you should consider outsourcing. By partnering with a specialist recruitment agency, savvy organisations can stay ahead of the skills race, save time and build solid human resources – the key to every successful business today.

The current forces being brought to bear on business recruitment are reshaping many of the ‘givens’ of previous methods, internal or external, especially as the skills crisis continues to plague businesses locally and abroad. Make sure the reasons, criteria and desired outcomes for your HR process are set, ensuring the decision made is the right one.

tel: +27 11-622-9526
email: ivanswegen@networkrecruitment.co.za