This is a post from Focus Management Consultants who are specialists in Food and Drink Industry recruitment, providing resourcing solutions across Manufacturing, Retail, Foodservice, Food Technology, Product Development, Purchasing, Supply Chain, Engineering, HR, Sales & Marketing from Graduate to Board Level. It forms part of our Recruiting Weekly series.
As niche recruiters we feel we know a thingor two about why operating in a specific sector works for recruiters. Here are ourfour top benefits to being a niche recruiter:
1. Marketing and Branding
It’s a lot more cost effective to focus your branding and marketing efforts in just one market sector than in every sector at every level. Yes, there is a place for generalist recruiters but their branding is almost an industry in itself! When you recruit within a niche you can really pinpoint your branding efforts to where you can see the best results.
Also, operating as a niche recruiter makes it easier for clients and candidates to find you, be recommended to you by colleagues and peers and for you to build a sustainable reputation!
2. Subject Knowledge Specialists
Who would want to recruit from anyone who isn’t a specialist in their field – and yet unless you operate in a niche it’s difficult to offer true consultancy advice to clients. You have the opportunity to add value through industry news collation, salary surveys and even networking events within your niche. As a market leader in a niche sector we know our market in a very detailed way.
3. Your Little Black Book
Honestly, you can know everyone in your sector if you operate within a niche. Better than that; they’ll know you. You’ll become a trusted advisor to clients and candidates alike and find that you are their “go to” person either when job hunting or recruiting.
4. Better Fees
Specialist knowledge costs and don’t be afraid to admit that. Your fees as a niche recruiter should be higher than those a generalist charges. It’s not about being the only option and being able to charge whatever you like but instead being totally worth the fees you charge for the solutions you offer.
However, don’t forget to peek outside of you niche for learning and development. See what other recruiters are doing, how other clients conduct campaigns and network your peers.
Focus Management Consultants, established in 1990, comprises of eight specialist divisions that offer bespoke responses to clients’ needs and understand the requirements of candidates within each specialist function.
We operate in every continent and as well as the specialists divisions, Focus Management is a founding partner of IFR-a, International Food Recruitment Alliance, which provides our clients and candidates with specialist recruiters in The Netherlands, France, Denmark, Germany and Poland.
