Options abound for help with personnel search

Obtaining assistance from an outside source is a viable means to acquire candidates in today's job market. It is critical to make an educated choice, since their ability to fill your job opening will significantly impact your profit.

Executive search firms. Executive search firms typically work on management-level jobs, specializing in particular industries. A key recruiting technique is continual networking to be certain applicant names are readily available.

The person who helps you will be knowledgeable in your particular field. He may or may not possess seasoned selection skills. If not, you will need to conduct the interview and do reference checking.

This option is sound if you do not have time to perform considerable recruiting. The most prevalent billing technique is a retained search with partial payments remitted two or three times during the process.

Locally, such firms are listed in the yellow pages under executive search consultants. Otherwise, consult the Kennedy Directory of Executive Recruiters to review the possibilities.

Placement agencies. All types of positions are filled by this type of company. Help-wanted ads in newspapers and walk-in resumes are the main methods, though networking is also used in some cases.

Employees function as sales representatives on commission, so billing is based upon a percentage of the placed individual's first year salary to pay the commission for the sale.

The average interview lasts 20 minutes. One to three references will be checked upon the request of the company. Strengths of the candidates are sold and weaknesses rarely mentioned, because it is hard to sell a product by informing a consumer about faults. However, the representative will try his best to send good prospects.

Use this option if you are confident in your hiring skills but are having problems generating resumes on your own.

Expect to wait an average of 3 1/2 months before receiving resumes for administration positions and four weeks for hourly jobs.

These firms are listed under employment agencies in the yellow pages. Give your job order to everyone, because you only have to pay the company whose resume you buy.

Human resource consulting firms. Entry-level to upper-management openings are accepted. The employees who assist you are typically specialists in "people reading," recruiting, hiring, salaries and other personnel issues.

Initial on-site visits are conducted to learn the details about the organization, job duties and personality required and a job description is composed.

Extensive screening and interviewing is performed, with the average time being 3 1/2 hours. Written reports are provided outlining personality strengths and weaknesses. Comprehensive reference checks are conducted and furnished to companies as narrative documents.

Billing is typically by the hour. Some charge a retained fee similar to executive search firms.

Use these firms if you lack the time or skills to make the best decision, and need an expert to thoroughly screen and assess candidates. Choices are shown in the yellow pages under employment agencies. Anticipate 1 1/2 months to fill professional and management level jobs, and three weeks for hourly and lower-level supervisory positions.

(Lynne Haggerman is president/owner of Haggerman & Associates, an employment, management training, human resources consulting and outplacement firm.)