There are a lot of recruitment companies in operation, and as in every industry, they can sometimes vary in quality from those who are seeking maximum profit for minimum input to those who genuinely want to provide an exceptional service for their clients and candidates. There has been a lot of discussion recently about the possible development of a standard for the UK recruitment sector, but until this happens how can a client differentiate between the good and the bad and decide who to trust to deliver a thorough and first class service?
Choosing a recruitment provider can be a costly decision to a company; if they get it wrong a lot of time and money can be spent with very little gain. A recruitment company with an in-depth methodology, efficient processes and a mechanism for customer feedback is much more likely to provide a client with a thorough recruitment process and much more likely to succeed in delivering a successful outcome. But how does a service organisation prove that they have efficient systems in place before a new client experiences their service first hand?
One way to help settle any doubts is for your recruitment provider to have memberships with professional associations and accreditations and therefore gaining the ISO-9001 is an excellent way to stand out as a reputable organisation.
What is ISO-9001?
The ISO-9001 standard is a set of quality management principles that ensure that customers get consistent, good quality products and services. The ISO (International Organisation for Standardisation) says “ISO 9001:2015 sets out the criteria for a quality management system and is the only standard in the family that can be certified to, which can be used by any organisation, large or small, regardless of its field of activity. In fact, there are over one million companies and organisations in over 170 countries certified to ISO 9001, International Standards include strategic tools and guidelines to help companies tackle some of the most demanding challenges of modern business. They ensure that business operations are as efficient as possible, increase productivity and help company’s access new markets.”
The 8 leading principles of quality management are assessed are; Customer Focus, Leadership, Involvement of People, Process Approach, System Approach to Management, Continual Improvement, Factual Approach to Decision Making and Mutually Beneficial Supplier Relations.
What are the benefits?
- To a recruitment business: The standard aims to look at and simplify internal processes and quality management systems, to help to reduce errors which can be costly to a business. These improved processes can in turn lead to greater efficiency, productivity and work rate. These improved efficiencies and services to customers can also help to retain current clients and for future business. Gaining the standard and displaying the logo on stationery, on your website and promoting online will also help to attract new business. It demonstrates a company’s work ethic, that their working practices and documentation is transparent and that they are committed to providing a high level of service. Therefore, it can give a company an edge over competitors and can be a deciding factor for winning new business.
- To clients: Obviously the above benefits speak for themselves as far as receiving a great, efficient, reliable service from an audited company. If a company has been audited and awarded an ISO-9001 Standard, then they will have an annual surveillance audit to ensure they are still keeping within the standard and their processes haven’t slipped. These processes are in place to ensure customer service is upmost and practices are fair; therefore this should be a major factor in deciding upon which recruiter to use. It proves that there are rules and processes in place regarding data protection, that practices have to be adhered to and certain guarantees are made. Everything is documented and you may see any information held if you so wish. With such efficient processes in place more time can be spent on the brief and finding the correct candidates to fill the positions.
- To candidates: Recruiters and executive search firms like Newman Stewart spend a lot of time approaching talented candidates with a view to putting them forward for a suitable opportunity. Sometimes, however, a person may be a little suspicious of the motives of recruiters and the practices they may have encountered in the past by other companies. Once a candidate is introduced to working practices and they are aware of the processes and the level of care and professionalism they will receive from a company who has been accredited for ISO9001, they are more willing to hear about new opportunities, with the peace of mind that communications will be confidential, the process will be discreet and data protection will be adhered to.
