Navigating the Recruiting Process in a Remote World

By Kathryn Wade, Senior eCommerce Recruiter, eCommerce Placement

How do I find the right recruitment agency for my growing business? How do I prepare for working with a recruitment agency?

There are hundreds of recruiting agencies out there and the idea of sorting through them all can be daunting. With so many choices, how do you know you’re choosing the agency that is right for your company’s needs? Go through this checklist to find out:

Determine your company’s needs.

This first step may seem obvious, but it’s an integral step in finding the right recruiting agency. Are you recruiting for a graphic designer? You probably don’t want to reach out to an agency that specializes in recruiting engineers.

Lots of recruitment agencies recruit for certain industries. Make sure you are reaching out to an agency that specializes in the work you are hiring for. Some agencies recruit for a broad range of roles within an industry, while others recruit for more specialized roles. Make a list of all the roles you are recruiting for. What do they all have in common? Ideally, you will find one agency that specializes in your industry with knowledge in recruiting for diverse roles and lots of connections in the field.

Determine your company’s goals/timeline.

A company looking to add three new UX designers on their team will have significantly different needs than one that needs a new marketing coordinator. Bring out your list of roles that you are hiring for. Next to each role, write down how soon you would like to have this role filled and how much time you are willing to dedicate to the hiring process for each role. How many people on your team will need to meet with each candidate? How long will each interview be? Do you

want to meet over Zoom, or will you be having in-person interviews? (Keep in mind that in-person interviews can significantly narrow your options or create higher hiring costs. Candidates will either need to already be living in the area or flown in office, generally at the company’s expense.)

Pro Tip: Be aware of the hiring market.

Sometimes it’s a candidate’s market, sometimes a hiring manager’s. Understand that a candidate’s market will make finding the right candidate for roles a very competitive task. You will need to offer desirable salaries, benefits, titles, growth opportunities, and a streamlined hiring experience to keep strong candidates interested in your role.

Prepare your job description and provide specific details to your recruiter.

A job description isn’t just a way to tell your candidates what to expect on the job. It is your way of SELLING your role. Use your job description to tell candidates why they should want this job. Be specific about what you are seeking in a candidate (tools used, years of experience required, main purpose of the role.)

Don’t provide a block of wall-to-wall text. Format your job description in a way that draws the eye to the most important aspects and doesn’t overwhelm your reader. Most candidates simply skim job descriptions. Make sure they see the most relevant information in an easy-to-read format. Save the more detailed information for your recruiter! Recruiters need detailed info to find the perfect candidate that meets your requirements. Save the nitty gritty details for them and the big picture for your candidates.

Pro Tip: Format your job description in a way that will attract and hold attention.

Include your company logo at the top of your JD along with role logistics. (i.e., position title, work location, salary/benefits) Candidates will respond more positively to a JD when they can see who is hiring and if the role meets their basic needs.

Determine your budget. Compare agencies. Make an informed choice!

Many recruiting agencies charge a placement fee based on the salary your new hire will make. For example, 25% of a $100k starting salary will be a $25k fee. Some require an additional search fee to be paid up front, while others don’t. Payment terms and timelines will also vary. Once you’ve found a few agencies that meet your basic recruitment needs, schedule a consultation with each agency to understand their pricing, policies, requirements, services they offer, and their recruitment process. Compare your notes and make a final decision.

Congratulations! You’ve found your recruitment partner and are on your way to finding your next dream employee!

Pro Tip: Connect with Industry Professionals

If you need help in your search for top eCommerce talent in the industry, visit ecommerceplacement.com. eCommerce Placement is a certified Shopify Plus Partner and leading recruitment firm serving online retailers, eCommerce companies, digital agencies, and more. We partner with our clients to ensure you find top industry talent that will contribute years of experience, innovation, and growth to your DTC business.