This blog post is part of a 3 part series on finding and keeping top talent.
Working with a startup takes a different mentality and the firm you choose should have experience within the space and understand the marketplace. You should be able to develop a partnership with your firm to maximize the working relationship.
If you decide to use a recruiting agency, make sure you choose one that understands your needs for the company moving forward. They should not approach this as just another search. The right recruiting agency can add value in many ways:
- They eliminate some of the risk associated with a bad hire by giving you options and taking the brunt of the work load off of you.
- They offer the ability to try out different hiring options to suit your needs – contract to hire, temporary project, direct placement, managed services, and executive search.
- They will pre-screen the candidates based on the technical and culture fit of your company before you even see them.
- In addition, the right firm can help you come up with a list of interview criteria and work with you as a true partner to develop the right hiring plan to help you meet your goals.
- It’s important to remember recruiting agencies are there to help you source the right talent. It is still up to you to interview, hire and then retain the right person.
So, what’s the first step? Figure out what makes your company “sexy” to potential candidates. What do you really do and why is it important? Who are the customers you work with and what type of backgrounds do they bring to the equation? Answers to these questions help recruiting agencies like HireNetworks find candidates that not only meet your technical requirements, but that also mesh well within your company’s culture.
About @TinaCochrane
Tina Cochrane has over 13 years of experience in the technology recruiting space. Her early career years were spent recruiting for companies such as IBM, Perot Systems, and NCR. For the last 8 years she has been with HireNetworks working closely with local entrepreneurs to help them grow their technology organizations. Her approach is to become a true partner with her clients and get to know the organization from the top down. She has served as on site resource with many local companies as they grew from as few as 6 employees to well over 100. Tina serves as an Advisor for NCTA and an Ambassador for CED. She lives in Durham with her husband and three daughters.