10 Ways to Make Your Recruitment Agency Stand Out in a Crowd

Many professionals in the recruitment industry agree that the marketplace is crowded. With over 8,000 new recruitment agencies launched each year, standing out can be challenging.

At Oncore, we've explored key strategies to help your recruitment agency distinguish itself from the competition. Even if you've done this all before, it's time for a refresh and a redo, especially in a market experiencing uncertainty.

• (Re)Define Your Brand

Companies that stand out in their industry typically have a well-defined brand. They have carefully considered their voice, appearance, and brand values to resonate with their audience.

Consider the audience you want to attract. For instance, if you’re recruiting professionals in the IT industry, what tone of voice should you use?

Don't hesitate to be bold in your approach to grab attention, but always stay true to your values.

Consulting with a branding specialist or partnering with a branding agency can provide valuable expertise.

• Find a Less Saturated Niche

When expanding your agency's specialisations, consider focusing on a less saturated niche to attract more attention.

Avoid choosing a niche in which you have no experience. Running a recruitment agency is challenging enough without diving into unfamiliar territory.

You might not need to add a new niche; instead, consider becoming more targeted within your existing specialism.

• Invest in Your Marketing

To effectively promote your recruitment agency, it's crucial to invest in marketing strategically.

This doesn't mean spending excessively across all channels. Instead, focus your marketing budget where it will have the most impact.

Identify where your audience spends their time, which may not always be LinkedIn. Standing out might involve advertising in unconventional places where your target audience is present.

• Reinvent the Candidate's Journey

To create buzz about your agency, focus on providing an exceptional experience for candidates.

Evaluate your current processes and identify areas for improvement from start to finish.

Gather feedback from past candidates to understand your strengths and areas for improvement.

Consider offering additional services or developing an app to give candidates more control and keep them updated throughout their recruitment journey.

• Become Customer-Centric

Putting your client at the centre of your business is key to establishing a strong reputation.

Understand their preferred working style and pain points, then tailor your processes to meet their needs.

Provide them with the right tools and information to ensure a seamless experience.

Investing in back-office technology and offering a customised client portal, like Oncore’s, can streamline your processes and help you stand out from agencies relying on traditional methods.

• Explore Digital Solutions

Beyond back-office technology, numerous online tools can benefit recruitment agencies.

Research the market to identify tools that enhance the experience for both clients and candidates.

Consider investing in a smart CRM system that automatically updates client and candidate information.

Additionally, explore automation and AI tools to give your agency a professional edge.

• Be the Expert

Establishing yourself as an expert can significantly raise your agency's profile.

Engage in industry conversations and position yourself as a thought leader on relevant platforms.

Consider starting your industry events or groups to connect with others and showcase your agency.

• Offer Additional Services

Providing additional services can help you attract new clients and stay ahead of the competition.

If you have the expertise, consider offering onboarding support to assist both candidates and clients during the initial weeks.

Alternatively, you could create a landing page or application portal for clients recruiting for multiple key roles.

• Start Building a Team

Expanding your agency by adding new recruiters can significantly boost your presence.

Promote your business growth on relevant channels and widely publicise any internal positions.

With a larger team, you'll have more voices and experts to elevate your recruitment agency above the competition.

• Remain True to Your Values

Above all, stay true to the core values that drive your agency.

Remember why you started your agency and what has contributed to your success. This clarity will help you recognise that you are already ahead of the competition.

The recruitment marketplace is crowded, but there is only one agency like yours and only one like you.