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Projected to reach a global value of $1.5 trillion by 2030, the fast-growing digital marketing and advertising sector is definitely one to watch.
So why do competitive companies struggle to find world-class marketing talent?
Part of the problem is the breadth of the digital marketing field as a whole. There are numerous specializations and subspecializations that fall under the general umbrella term “digital marketing.” This versatility and diversity is what makes digital marketing powerful, but it also makes it difficult to find people with the right expertise and training to fill highly specific roles.
Companies often face the frustration of having to interview candidates who look great on paper but are not qualified for the job in practice. Just because a candidate looks knowledgeable on their resume doesn't necessarily mean they have the in-depth experience or skills to perform the job.
Not surprisingly, recruiters become increasingly concerned that they won’t be able to find the right digital marketer for their team.
Fortunately, finding a top digital marketing guru isn't the same as searching for a unicorn company. There are great candidates out there with outstanding skills, but most companies don't have the time, resources, or talent in-house to find them.
But that is not the case with professional recruitment agencies.
Why Use a Recruitment Agency to Hire Digital Marketing Talent?
A specialist recruitment agency that focuses on introducing digital marketing talent to clients can be a game-changer for businesses of all sizes.
Unlike general staffing agencies, boutique recruiting professionals focus on sourcing and recruiting talent with specific skill sets and job functions, and tend to personalize their relationships with their clients and strive to understand their unique digital marketing talent needs.
Attention to detail allows recruitment agencies to mobilize only those people who can “both talk and act” for their clients' job openings.
There are additional benefits to using a recruitment agency when searching for digital marketing professionals.
The biggest one is The risk of making poor hiring choices is reduced. Making the wrong hire can have long-term, costly ripple effects on your marketing department and your company as a whole. On average, a bad hire costs an employer about $17,000 — an expense that should be avoided if possible.
How can working with a marketing recruitment agency reduce the risk of a “bad hire”? The agency takes responsibility for screening applicants at the earliest stage, helping to weed out candidates who are unlikely to perform.
Could a typical recruiter attempt something similar? Maybe. But a typical recruiting firm doesn't have the lightning-focused experience to screen digital marketing. Digital marketing is a nuanced industry. Understanding which candidates can make an immediate impact requires a deep understanding of how digital marketing works at a micro and macro level.
Another big advantage of using a recruitment agency is Access a deep network and expertise of recruiters.
Digital marketing recruiters invest in building a diverse and strong candidate pool to build a reputation for their recruitment firm's effectiveness. They also have extensive connections within the digital marketing field, keeping them at the forefront of the industry – they're the go-to source for the latest trends, platforms, and new skill sets.
For recruiters, having digital marketing leads (and proposals) ready to go isn’t optional – it’s essential to serving your clients.
Best Practices for Hiring a Professional Recruitment Agency
Even if you’ve worked with a general recruitment agency before, you’ll need to approach partnering with a boutique recruiting firm differently, with each approach helping you make the most of your collaboration to fill your open positions with talented digital marketers.
1. Think of the relationship as consultative
To get the best results from a relationship, think of the partnership as a consultative one.
By having a back-and-forth discussion about your needs, you can tap into the recruiter's wealth of knowledge and it also gives you the opportunity to share your thoughts and contribute in a meaningful way.
2. Learn as much as you can
Recruitment agencies that specialize in digital marketing are at the forefront of the industry every day, so their employees have a wealth of knowledge. And they're usually happy to share their insights. You'll want to tap into that knowledge on a regular basis.
The more you know about the field of digital marketing, the more confident you will be when hiring. Even if you work in HR and are not part of the company's digital marketing group, you can rest assured that you have practical know-how in this field.
3. Make sure your contractual arrangements are fair
You will be signing a contract with the recruitment agency you choose. Read the contract carefully to ensure it is beneficial for both parties. Ideally, it should include guarantees and policies to protect your company.
If there's anything about the contract you're not happy with, speak up straight away – the key to having a good experience is trusting your digital marketing recruiting partner from the get-go.
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If you want to effectively attract digital marketing talent, it’s not enough to simply post a job ad and hope to make money.
Instead of gambling on whether you can find a quality candidate, contact a professional recruiting firm that specializes in digital marketing talent, so you can spend less time without key personnel and more time focusing on your company’s digital marketing success.
More Resources on Recruiting and Hiring Marketing Talent
How to Attract and Retain Top B2B Marketing Talent
How to reach the right candidates with programmatic recruiting
How to recruit and retain Gen Z talent [Infographic]
