Finding the right talent can be both time-consuming and expensive. Tasks such as posting job openings, reviewing applications, conducting background checks, and interviewing multiple candidates not only drain resources but also come with the risk of costly hiring mistakes. Many businesses are now opting to outsource these responsibilities to professional recruitment companies. If you’ve never partnered with a recruiter before, you might be wondering how they can help you find the ideal candidate. Here are just a few of the benefits of working with a specialized recruitment agency: Streamlining your recruitment process Recruitment agencies handle the majority of hiring tasks, such as job advertisements, application screening, and initial interviews. At Austin Fraser, we take a personalised approach. Before we even begin the process of finding your future team member, we get to know your company goals and pain points to create the most optimal recruitment strategy. Our tech recruiters guide you through the entire hiring process. This includes preparing you for different interview stages, offering feedback, negotiating salaries on your behalf, and assisting with onboarding once an offer is accepted. Enhanced hiring quality and focus Specialised recruitment agencies offer niche expertise and access to a wider candidate network, including passive candidates who are typically hard to reach, leading to more successful hiring outcomes due to their advanced selection and screening methods. This approach also allows you to concentrate on growing your business, while also freeing up internal HR to work on strategic initiatives. Cost saving and lowering turnover Partnering with a recruitment agency can be more cost-effective, eliminating the need for an in-house recruitment team and reducing overhead costs associated with salaries and benefits. High turnover can be both problematic and expensive. A bad hire leads to wasted training costs, lost productivity, and re-hiring fees. Considering the average recruitment cost is around £30k, a poor hiring decision can significantly impact your business. Collaborating with the right tech recruitment agency is a highly efficient solution for saving both time and money. Filling specialised roles effectively Recruitment agencies play a crucial role in sourcing candidates for specialized positions, utilizing their expertise and extensive networks across various industries. With the demand for tech talent far outstripping supply, 86% of CIOs report facing increased competition for qualified candidates, and 73% are concerned about IT talent attrition. At Austin Fraser, we have over 15 years of experience and have built strong relationships with local tech communities in the cities we operate in. We know the right people in the right places and have unparalleled access to passive talent. By focusing exclusively on the tech industry, we dedicate all our efforts to developing connections and maintaining relationships within the most niche markets. Beneficial for smaller organisations Smaller businesses, which might not have the resources for a comprehensive HR department, can significantly benefit from the talent pool and expertise of external recruitment agencies. Efficient temporary staffing solutions Some recruitment agencies can quickly source temporary staff, a task that would otherwise be time-consuming and resource-intensive for businesses to handle independently. Finding the right talent can take time, and sometimes the perfect candidate has a long notice period. However, deadlines and projects still need to be met. What can you do in the meantime? Consider hiring a contractor if you urgently need a short-term workforce. One of the biggest advantages of using freelancers, aside from their expertise and skills, is their availability— sometimes even within just 48 hours! This makes them an ideal temporary solution to keep your projects on track while you search for a permanent hire. At Austin Fraser, we have experienced recruiters specialising in managing tech industry contractors, making it easier than ever to meet your project deadlines with limited resources. Looking for a reliable partner to help you find top tech talent to join your team? We’ve got your back! As an industry-leading tech recruitment agency, our job is to make your life easier. Demand for talent in the tech industry is stronger than ever and we’ll be with you at every stage of your hiring process, providing you with expert guidance and industry insights. Our tech recruiters can ensure good quality hires while prioritising speed to help you optimise your candidate experience to not only attract brilliant candidates but increase your retention rate in the future. “When we first starting working with Austin Fraser we heard them say they were different but we didn’t know what to expect. Over the years what we’ve seen is a company that has rolled up their sleeves with us to find the really hard-to-recruit positions. They’ve helped us think out of the box to create customized recruiting events and helped us connect with our peers in Austin through industry leadership sessions. From those early beginnings Austin Fraser showed us with their hard work and intelligent decisions that they deserved to be one of our preferred partners.” - Brad Power, Whole Foods Market
So, you've got an interview - congratulations! To help you nail the interview and climb that next step in your career ladder, we'd like to share some exclusive tips and tricks with you. 1. How to prepare for an interview? If you're working alongside a recruiter, they'll provide you with all the details to prepare thoroughly, including a list of required job skills. If you're tackling the job hunt independently, take a close look at the job description, noting the essential keywords and responsibilities. Our tip: Prepare three relevant examples of projects where you've used those skills in a professional setting. When choosing the most relevant projects, ask yourself: Are the skills I’ve used or learnt during this project a close match? Is the product family and risk class comparable? Is the company size similar? If you answered “no” to any of these questions, think about how you would adapt your skill set to fit the business needs of your potential employer. 2. Video interviews - how to make a good impression virtually? Even after years of hosting interviews, we still find ourselves reminding candidates to make sure they find a perfect spot to take their interview, whether it’s via Zoom or on the phone. We know that having a home office may be tough, especially with children or pets barging in during meetings. That’s life and no one will blame you for that! But definitely plan ahead to have a calm, quiet space for your interview - and your car is not one of them! Our tips: Test your equipment ahead of time - Test your equipment at least 24-hours before your interview. Make sure your camera, microphone and speaker/headphones work perfectly - the last thing you want is to realise something isn’t working an hour before your call! No food allowed - While we agree that a biscuit with a cup of tea is a must, for the purpose of making the best first impression possible, please refrain from snacking during the interview. This also includes chewing gum! However, don’t forget to have a glass of water nearby; not only is it good to hydrate, but also if you need a second to collect your thoughts or a quick break from speaking - just take a sip and crush the rest of the interview! 3. What questions to ask in an interview? Questions are extremely important, because they show the interviewer/hiring manager that you took the time to research the company and that you are serious about this role. Our tip: This is your chance to get the most reliable, first-hand information, so make sure you ask about the finest details. In our experience, every good interview turns into a brainstorming session! To give you some ideas, here are some of our favourite questions to ask in an interview:: What are some of the projects I would be involved in and who would I be collaborating with to meet the business objectives? What are the challenges you’re expecting to arise for someone in this role? What’s your strategy/timeline for business growth in the next 12-24 months? 4. How to prove a positive mindset in challenging situations? While your knowledge and expertise may help you qualify for the job, don’t forget to showcase your ability to stay motivated, especially in challenging situations. Your ‘can do’ approach and solution-finding may be a deciding factor for the hiring manager during the decision making process. Our tip: Prepare an example of a challenging situation that you had to resolve in a professional setting. Need help? Here are some examples to think about: Describe an incident in which you were required to keep a positive attitude despite the odds being against you? Highlight a situation that put your leadership skills to the test and how you managed to overcome the issue? How did you handle a situation in which you were asked to perform a task beyond your capabilities or outside your job scope? 5. How honest should I be during an interview? By the time you get to the interview stage, you should have developed a pretty good partnership with your consultant and feel comfortable enough to open up about any reservations you may have, be it about the interview process or the job itself. If that’s the case - don’t wait! It’s best to address it right away. We want to ensure that the interview process is as smooth as possible, so it’s best that you are honest about your expectations, past projects and any side projects you may be involved in, so we can present them in your favour. Our tip: If for whatever reason you are not comfortable with going ahead with the interview, let us know! We are always open to discussing issues and finding the best solutions to suit you and your career. Drop us a message asking for a call and we'll get back to you as soon as possible. Bonus tip: If you’re a freelancer, be honest about what you can and can’t achieve in the proposed timescale - you’re the expert here! If you believe something can’t be done, suggest an alternative solution. This is where you can hold the brainstorming session we mentioned earlier. This way you’ll not only show your adaptability, but also get a feel of the company dynamic and whether this is the right opportunity for you. So, this is it! For the best interview experience, we suggest that you commit to all of the tips listed above, but even if you take just one of our suggestions on board, you’re already a winner in our eyes. If you have any other questions or would like to have a chat about one of our opportunities, send us a message here. In the meantime, good luck with your interview! We know you’ll nail it.
