“Recruiters only care about _______”. There are many misconceptions about recruiters, so it should be difficult for you to fill the gap. Recruitment consultants are vital in helping organisations looking to hire and supporting candidates in their job search. You might not know that the UK is the third largest recruitment market globally, with over 30,000 recruitment agencies operating in the country, most of them smaller companies. Still, there are many misconceptions surrounding recruitment agencies and sometimes even bad press. So, let’s set the record straight together and debunk the ten most common myths about the recruitment industry.
Myth 1: Recruitment Agencies Are Expensive
Let’s open the can of worms with one of the most prevalent myths. Do recruitment agencies really cost a fortune? To answer this, we need to look at the value recruitment agencies bring.
Recruitment agencies save you time, reduce the risk of a bad hire, and have access to a larger talent pool. In the long run, we can save organisations money by finding candidates who are a perfect fit and reducing turnover and associated costs.
We also offer peace of mind, as business owners and senior executives can focus on their jobs, knowing they don’t have to worry about job adverts and job boards, read dozens if not hundreds of CVs and applications to make a selection, screening and evaluating candidates, and arrange interviews for a selection of candidates.
Myth 2: Anyone Can Be a Recruiter
Recruitment isn’t just about matching CVs with job descriptions. While that’s part of the job, it requires a deep understanding of industries, companies, and people, especially in niche areas, such as Tech Recruitment. A good recruiter must be part detective, salesperson, and counsellor. They must be able to read between the lines, understand complex human motivations, and manage expectations.
If you ask me, Nick, the recruitment consultant profession demands a unique skill set that not everyone possesses. Anyone can work in recruitment, but not everyone can be an excellent recruitment consultant and provide a five-star candidate experience.
Myth 3: Recruiters Just Fill Jobs Quickly
The idea that recruiters are just there to fill positions as quickly as possible is misleading. While speed can be an advantage, you must fill those jobs with candidates with the right experience and skills to match the role requirements and the company culture.
For instance, I like to take the time to listen, ask questions and understand the needs of both the employer and the candidate. I want to make a match that is beneficial for the long term, not just to tick a box and move on to the next job. For us at Adria Solutions, it’s all about building long term relationships, not just filling roles faster than anyone.
Myth 4: Recruiters Never Call You Back
We’ve all heard the horror stories: a candidate applies for a job, and then… radio silence. Believe it or not, we recruitment consultants have also been ghosted by hiring managers and candidates. It’s not pretty or pleasant, I know.
If you haven’t heard back from your recruiter after a while, it might be time to seek out an agency with a better reputation for candidate care. A reputable recruiter will understand the importance of keeping candidates in the loop, try to maintain open communication and provide feedback and updates throughout the process.
Myth 5: Recruiting Is Boring
If you think recruitment is dull, think again. Recruitment is dynamic, fast-paced, and incredibly rewarding. No day is the same. Each day presents new challenges and opportunities to learn, but if you are good at your job and a bit lucky, you’ll be meeting new people, securing job offers, shaping careers, and helping companies grow.
Myth 6: Recruitment Agencies Are Unnecessary
Some companies believe they can handle recruitment in-house without any external help. While this might work for some, it doesn’t work for many other companies that require the expertise, experience, and resources that in-house teams often lack.
For instance, when smaller companies and start-ups employ recruitment agencies, they gain access to extensive networks, advanced sourcing tools, and industry insights that will significantly improve their talent attraction. That’s why recruitment agencies are essential for SMEs competing for tech talent with big global corporations.
Myth 7: Recruiters Don’t Understand Company Culture
A common misconception is that external recruiters can’t grasp the nuances of a company’s culture. In reality, experienced recruiters take the time to understand a company’s values, work environment, and culture.
Myth 8: Recruitment Is Just Like Sales
While there are similarities between recruitment and sales—both involve persuasion, negotiation, and relationship management—recruitment is much more than just selling a job to a job seeker.
Recruiters must balance the employer’s needs with the candidate’s aspirations, ensuring both parties are satisfied. This delicate process requires empathy, insight, and, sometimes, a bit of patience too.
Myth 9: Using Multiple Recruiters Is Beneficial
Some companies think that using multiple recruiters will cast a wider net and find the best talent more quickly. However, this approach can backfire. It can lead to confusion, duplicate candidates, and a lack of focus. When recruiters know they’re competing against others, they might rush to present candidates, prioritising speed over quality. Working with a single, trusted agency fosters a more collaborative relationship and leads to better outcomes.
Myth 10: AI Will Replace Recruiters
With the rise of AI and automation, many claim that recruiters might become obsolete. Not us, that’s sure. While AI can assist us with certain aspects of recruitment, it can’t replace the human touch precisely because recruitment is about understanding people, their ambitions, fears, and career aspirations.
AI lacks the emotional intelligence, creativity, and intuition that human recruiters bring to the table, so I believe that, instead of replacing recruiters, AI will likely become a tool that enhances our powers.
Final Thoughts on Debunking False Recruitment Myths
Not every day working in recruitment is easy, but in almost 25 years in recruitment, I have never regretted choosing this career. Now, the next time you hear one of these false myths about recruitment, I hope you can remember the truth and appreciate the value that skilled recruiters bring to the table.
Whether you’re a company looking to hire, a candidate on the hunt for your next opportunity, or you are considering starting a career in recruitment yourself, please share this article with your network so others know the truth about recruitment.
