News

A lot of careful consideration and research goes into selecting Umbrella providers for your preferred supplier list (PSL). Once that side of things is complete and you’ve broken the good news to your chosen few, there’s something else to think about. What’s the best way of introducing your candidates to the Umbrellas?

Let us talk you through some of the most common methods used by recruitment agencies when new candidates come into their branch for the first time. We’ll also weigh up the pros and cons of each, to help you decide which will work best for you.

1. Flyers

Your consultants give their candidates a flyer from each Umbrella, allowing the candidate to read what each of them has to say, do their own research at home and make contact in their own time.

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Benefits

• Empowers the candidate to conduct their own research and select the provider that best suits their needs.
• Affords you a consistent approach for recommending each provider without bias.
• The Umbrellas’ branding will be present and visible in your office, which invites candidates’ interest.
• The candidate goes home with a tangible reminder to join an Umbrella.

Drawbacks

• Relies on a very busy contractor finding time to start contacting each Umbrella.

2. Referral

With permission, your consultants pass the candidate’s contact details to each Umbrella and allow us to contact them directly. Each provider has an opportunity to talk to the candidate about their service and invite them to join.

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Benefits

• Allows the Umbrellas on your PSL to proactively approach the candidate.
• Affords you a consistent approach for recommending each provider without bias.
• Requires the least involvement from consultants.

Drawbacks

• Relies on a very busy contractor finding time to answer calls from each Umbrella.
• May not be the best experience for the candidate. We sometimes learn of their frustration when multiple companies are trying to make contact at one time.
• The candidate doesn’t get any time to research the Umbrellas before speaking to us, or even to decide which of us they’d like to talk to.

3. In-branch registration

Your consultants show the candidates to a computer or tablet and direct them to each Umbrella’s website, where they can research and sign up with their preferred provider online. They could even do it on their phone, if no other options are available.

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Benefits

• Empowers the candidate to conduct their own research and select the provider that best suits their needs.
• The consultant is on-hand to support the candidate, should they need it.
• Every candidate leaves your branch having chosen an Umbrella service.
• In our experience, it’s the most successful method of getting candidates signed up.

Drawbacks

• Dependent on PCs or tablets being available in branches for candidates’ use.
• Not all Umbrellas will have the same options available, which may prevent you achieving a consistent approach.

If there’s anything we can do to support you during your decision-making process, we’re happy to share our experience in more detail. Please feel free to get in touch if we can help at all.