Surely it's not all about placements...

Redefining Success in Recruitment: Moving Beyond Placements

We don’t need to sugar coat this, it’s very obvious that most recruitment businesses measure success by the number of placements made. It’s probably why the biggest billers in a business also get special privileges. We all know at least one.

However, as the industry evolves and businesses recognise the important of diverse talent and inclusive workplaces, we can’t use just ‘placements’ as the definition of success. We have to broaden what that looks like to encompass the impact and value we create for our clients and candidates.

So what are some of thee outcomes that truly matter?

Naturally, client satisfaction should be a top priority, as happy clients = repeat customers (quick math). By consistently delivering exceptional service and exceeding client expectations, we can build long-term relationships that drive business growth.

Candidate retention. You know that infamous Scarlet letter I mentioned in my previous post? Yeah well you’ll be branded with it if your candidate retention isn’t good. Placing a candidate is only the first step (And seasoned recruiters don’t even get excited about placements until at least 3 months + post placement) By prioritising candidate satisfaction and supporting their professional development, we can increase retention rates and foster a much better reputation in the industry.

Diversity and Inclusion! Everyone has to focus on this. It’s essential and should be an indicator of success. In today’s global marketplace, businesses are are increasingly recognising the value of diverse teams. You genuinely do not have to scroll far to see something about D&I. Tracking diversity metrics allows us to measure the impact in this area, and hold ourselves accountable for progress.

Finally, our long-term clients. We all know recruitment is all about relationships. We don’t want to be ‘one off’ transactions, but trusted partners and advisors to our clients. So treat them that way. So many believe our job is to be a cv monkey, and not truly understanding we can provide tailored solutions, strategy, and consultation to drive sustainable business results for them.

So, next time you have a catch up with your manager about why you didn’t hit your placement target, maybe focus on the impact you’ve had in other areas like D&I, your long-standing clients, client satisfaction, reviews, and candidate retention rates.