If you’re the owner of a boutique recruiting agency, or even a solopreneur, you may be interested in joining a recruitment community to build your peer group. There are many options to consider from casual networking groups to formal organizations. Here are some things to evaluate as you make your decision:
- Fees – Are there any fees for joining? What about ongoing dues or service charges? If split placements are part of the recruitment community, is there a brokerage fee for placements? Are flexible payment options available?
- Contracts – Is there a defined contract period or other commitment period? Can you break it?
- Member Benefits – This can encompass a wide range of items such as:
- Discounted access to products and services
- Educational offerings and/or certification programs
- Live and/or virtual events
- Networking opportunities
- Business owners peer group
- Revenue-enhancing opportunities through splits or another vehicle
- Publications (digital or print)
- Equity / ownership in the community
- Ability to vote on matters of importance
- Awards / recognition for top producers
- Marketing support
- Volunteer opportunities
- Awards / recognition for volunteers
- Staff support
- Affordable scalability for your business
- Access to a job board and/or paid promotion of your jobs
- Ability to participate in governance / decision-making
- Indemnification
- Common set of rules or policies that all members follow
- Dispute resolution
- Ownership – Who owns the recruitment community? This could range from no owners (casual networking or a nonprofit like an association), to ownership by a private individual or group of individuals, to a structure like NPAworldwide – in which the members own our organization.
- Members – Who are the members? Small or large firms? Privately-owned ventures or public? Large multinationals? Temp staffing versus professional direct-hire? Mostly owners or a mix of owners and recruiters? Locally based or a global mix? Make sure the community matches your business style and needs. Are you more of a lurker or looking for a way to be an active participant? Are members vetted in advance to ensure that everyone has similar standards of ethics and professionalism?
- Business Style – If the community offers a vehicle for split placements, is it a relationship-based approach or transactional? What is your own approach? Are you seeking collaboration with partners vested in mutual success?
Recruitment as a solopreneur or a small-business owner can be lonely. A strong community of partners can provide a valuable business resource, a peer group, benchmarking, and even lifelong friendships. Don’t make your decision solely based on cost – ROI, shared values, and business support are equally important.