Should you organisation use a recruitment agency?
Recruitment (or employment) agencies have been a feature of the labour market for many years. However, in recent years competition from job boards such as www.gozambiajobs.com and social media (Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn) have increased the options available in Zambia. In this article we examine some of the advantages and disadvantages of the use of recruitment agencies in Zambia.
Main Advantages
1. Specialist knowledge, skills and experience
Recruitment agencies specialize in assisting organisations in the recruitment process. As such, a reputable recruitment agency may have knowledge, skills and experience above and beyond that of your organisation.
2. Resource optimization
Not all organisations have the resources available to conduct a successful recruitment campaign. Recruitment agencies can fill this resource gap by providing services such as:
- Drafting job advertisements
- Placing job advertisements in the media
- Managing and reviewing applications
- Conducting preliminary interviews
- Informing unsuccessful applicants
3. Speed and efficiency
Recruitment agencies can help your organisation to quickly and efficiently hire new employees.
Main Disadvantages
1. Potential costs
Recruitment agencies charge a fee for their services. This can be a set fee or a % of the salary being offered. With the availability of free job boards such as www.gozambiajobs.com and social media (Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn) it is now cheaper and easier to advertise jobs than ever before.
2. Loss of control
If your organisation outsources the recruitment process you will have less control over selection. As a result, you may not get the opportunity to interview a suitable candidate because they were rejected by the recruitment agency.
3. Knowledge loss
The recruitment process provides an insight into the skills, experience and salaries available in Zambia. By outsourcing this process you may lose the opportunity to acquire this knowledge.
Conclusion
So should your organisation use a recruitment agency to recruit in Zambia? The answer depends on the individual circumstances of your organisation. We hope that the information provided above will help you to make the right decision.
To post a free job advert on our site visit: Post a Job