Internal vs. External Hiring Trends: Key Insights from Talent Search Pros

In today’s highly competitive business landscape, strategic recruitment plays a crucial role in driving organizational success. External support in recruitment brings substantial benefits, from coping with talent shortages to promoting diversity and fostering innovation. Partnering with the right external support can profoundly impact your organization’s growth and operational efficiency.

In the most recent podcast episode of Talkin’ Talent, Doug Smith and Evan Seward from Cordia Resources by Cherry Bekaert (Cordia), in collaboration with Sam McCarthy, provided valuable insights into recruitment strategies and the evolving role of external support in achieving strategic hiring goals. They discussed when organizations should engage an external search firm and offered professional advice on understanding client needs, overcoming recruitment challenges, and adapting to current staffing trends.

Whether you're optimizing your existing team or looking to make new hires, our Cordia professionals discuss key takeaways to help you decide whether you should seek external support with your hiring requirements.

The Role of External Support

While organizations usually prefer filling positions internally to leverage their expertise and understanding of company culture, internal teams often face challenges managing regular human resources responsibilities, administrative tasks, and compliance requirements. According to Doug Smith, “When an organization faces critical hiring needs, internal teams may struggle with bandwidth or specialized skill requirements.”

External recruiting firms bring specialized knowledge and experience and a focused approach to the hiring process. They concentrate solely on sourcing, screening, and presenting qualified candidates from their diverse network. This specialization allows them to deploy targeted strategies tailored to each client’s unique needs, whether it’s filling a temporary gap or finding a long-term executive. As Evan Seward emphasizes, “At Cordia, our role is to seamlessly step in, whether for temporary staffing to ease immediate pressures or for permanent placements requiring specialized recruitment.”

Moreover, external support can provide an objective perspective that internal teams may lack. They bring fresh insights and industry knowledge, which can be invaluable in identifying and attracting top talent that aligns with your organization’s strategic goals.

Understanding Client Needs

Central to Cordia Resource’s approach is a deep understanding of client needs. Evan explains, “It’s about actively listening and asking the right questions. Whether it’s a new client or a longstanding partner, clarity on why the position is open, its urgency, and the broader organizational impact guides our strategy.”

Doug elaborates, “We act as strategic advisors, not just recruiters. This involves diagnosing the real pain points, suggesting interim solutions, and aligning expectations for long-term success.” This level of understanding provides a sense of relief and confidence in our ability to deliver.

Understanding client needs goes beyond filling a position—it involves understanding the company’s culture, values, and long-term goals. This holistic approach helps seamlessly place candidates with the right skills and fit into the organizational environment, contributing positively to its growth and success.

Building Trust and Collaboration

Trust and collaboration are fundamental in client relationships. Sam McCarthy underscores, “External recruiters are not here to replace internal efforts but to complement and enhance them. Trust is earned through open communication, mutual respect, and transparency about what Cordia can deliver.”

Evan echoes this sentiment, “We prioritize integrity over promising what we can’t deliver. Referrals and long-term partnerships hinge on this honesty and reliability.” This emphasis on trust and collaboration makes our clients feel respected and appreciated.

Building trust involves consistent communication and delivering on promises. We also want to be completely transparent when addressing challenges throughout the recruitment process. By fostering a collaborative partnership, external recruiters can align their efforts closely with an organization’s hiring goals, delivering a more efficient and effective recruitment process.

2024 Trends in Staffing and Recruitment

Cordia Resource’s leaders have identified significant trends shaping the staffing and recruitment landscape this year. “Fractional and interim CFO roles are increasingly popular,” he notes. “The shift post-COVID has seen senior executives opt for flexibility, creating demand for specialized temporary solutions.”

Evan observes another emerging trend, saying, “Companies are increasingly testing the waters with temporary placements before committing to permanent hires. This cautious approach reflects current economic uncertainties and the need for adaptable staffing solutions.”

Beyond temporary roles, there is also a growing emphasis on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in recruitment practices. Organizations prioritize diverse talent pools and inclusive hiring practices to drive innovation and better reflect their customer base and communities.

Advice for Organizations Considering External Support

Clear communication and goal alignment are the top priority tips for organizations contemplating external support in recruitment. Evan advises organizations to “Approach the partnership with an open mind and mutual respect. Explore unconventional solutions that might better fit your current needs and future goals.”

This stress on clear communication and goal alignment provides our clients with the feeling of being informed and prepared. On the client side, understanding the specific competence that external partners bring and how they complement your existing hiring strategy will help you better embrace new ideas.

Evaluating the track record and reputation of external recruitment firms is also an important tip. Look for partners who have successfully placed candidates in similar roles or industries and who demonstrate a commitment to understanding your organization’s unique culture and values.

How Cordia Resources by Cherry Bekaert Can Help

Whether you’re a large corporation or a growing nonprofit, the decision to engage external recruiting support can be a pivotal step toward securing the talent needed for your company’s sustained growth and innovation.

Navigating the complexities of internal versus external hiring requires a nuanced approach. Through proven talent acquisition strategies, Cordia Resources by Cherry Bekaert can offer tailored solutions that respect your organization’s unique strengths and challenges. Whether through temporary staffing to fill immediate gaps or strategic permanent placements, we are eager to learn more about and discuss your hiring needs.

As Doug aptly summarizes in the podcast, “It’s about finding the right fit and ensuring both parties walk away with a win-win solution.”

[Questions? Contact us.]

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