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7 Questions for Finding an International Recruiter

April 24th, 2015 by Dave Nerz

Many employers do not like working with recruitment companies. In markets that employers know well and have social media connections, perhaps it is possible to avoid independent recruiters or at a minimum reduce the dependence on outside agents. When the needs of companies expand beyond a local market and into countries where there is no physical presence, recruitment agencies may be the only way to achieve the results that are needed. What are some great things to know when you go searching for international recruiting expertise? Consider these basic questions to identify the strong players from those who may waste your time and money:

1. How does your fee structure work?
There are many different approaches that recruiters use. If you have a real and immediate need opt for paying some sort of engagement fee or retainer so that you know that your opening will get some attention. As you can imagine, if you are working with a 100% contingent international recruiter, then the easy jobs and the higher fee jobs get that recruiter’s attention first. Change the rules by asking — and paying — for a minimum number of hours applied to your job each day to week.

2. Does your firm have partners and connections where we are hiring?
It is often desirable to make a connection to a local recruiter with international connections rather than searching for a recruiter in the market where you have a one-off need. Develop a relationship with someone in your time zone, who speaks your language, where you can meet them for coffee or have a meeting to hold them accountable for results. Have a relationship that is more than a single transaction. Opt for a relationship that gets leveraged around the world for your benefit, but keeps you grounded right where you are.

3. What is the most common source of the candidates you place?
Try to find international recruiters who are recruiting (we used to call it headhunting) and not just doing LinkedIn searches. Having said that, a LinkedIn account does not make any employer a good or effective recruiter. Locating names is easy; selling people on making changes to their lives as significant as leaving one employer and moving to another is not easy work. It is even more difficult for the hiring company to be seen as an impartial coach or motivator of change. Sometimes the recruiter can do what even very talent hiring managers cannot. Also, look for recruiters with connections to a group of peers. You want the best candidate available not just the best candidate in their database. More like the best candidate in 20 or 30 recruitment companies’ databases.

4. How long will it take you to provide me a short list of 5 candidates?
If they answer this question without asking you 10 or 15 clarifying questions…run! A short list of 5 could take 1 hour or 1 year. The recruiter needs to understand the requirements of the job and the fit characteristics that will make someone a top performer in your company. They need to be a partner and not a vendor, so start treating the recruiter you select that way.

5. Can you tell me about international placement you have done or your affiliates/partners have done?
Examples or success are a good predictor of future success. Not every recruiter you connect with will have partners and connections and be able to share success stories. The ones who are capable will know others who are successful and have made international placements.

6. Does your firm belong to an international network or association of any type?
Ask what organizations they belong to. If they do not belong, then this show a lack of commitment or focus on what you are defining as necessary to support your search. They may have developed networks and connections independently…if so, they need to share some details on how they remain relevant in the market they hope to search for you.

7. Ask if they know what time it is in the market where you will be hiring or if they have a way to find that out.
If the recruiter doesn’t know how to track time globally, you might have the wrong recruiter. It is Communication 101 and everyone needs to know the country code and the current time in order to communicate. Tough to recruit someone if you are calling at 3AM. It seems silly, but it shows basic awareness and past experience in one quick question.

There are many more you can add. In the end, it is about building a partnership and developing trust. The big things to take away are: look at the need creatively, you may find someone locally that has connections where you need to be, look for the ability to communicate examples of personal/partners success stories, and find someone who is doing recruiting not just list building.

NPAworldwide Adds 5 New Recruiting Agencies

April 15th, 2015 by Veronica Blatt

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Veronica Scrimshaw
Director of Corporate Communications
vscrimshaw@npaworldwide.com
+1 616 455-6776 x17

GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN, USA – April 15, 2015– NPAworldwide, a member-owned recruitment network, is pleased to announce the following recruitment firms as new members:

Coffin & Associates (www.coffinonline.com), Chicago, Illinois, USA
- Specializing in commercial, industrial, and finance sector searches
Veteran Career Headquarters (www.veterancareerhq.com), Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
- Professional staffing and workforce management firm who focuses on providing the public and private sector qualified military personnel for hire
Integrity Staffing Solutions (www.integrity-staffing.com), Los Angeles, California, USA
- Areas of focus include information technology, engineering, and supply chain management
BancSearch (www.bancsearch.com), Tulsa, Oklahoma, USA
- Specializing in all areas of banking – commercial lending, credit/debit card, marketing, mortgage banking, retail banking, and credit administration
Slama Global Search (www.slamaglobal.com), Boca Raton, Florida, USA
- Making placements in the areas of financial services, manufacturing, aerospace, technology, signs & advertising, insurance, consumer product, luxury, construction, hospitality, travel, transportation, sports and leisure and healthcare

“Congratulations to each of our new members,” said Dave Nerz, president of NPA. “By joining NPAworldwide, these recruiting agencies are invested in the network as owners. Membership in NPAworldwide allows independent recruitment agencies to more effectively serve their clients and candidates by partnering with other member firms on a split-fee basis.”

NPAworldwide membership is offered on a selective basis to independently-owned recruitment firms who meet the network’s enrollment criteria and have a strategic interest in making split placements.

About NPAworldwide. NPAworldwide is a recruitment network facilitating placements between its members. The network has nearly 500 member offices across 6 continents. For more information, please visit www.npaworldwide.com or www.npaworldwideworks.com.

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Global Recruiters Positive About Market Conditions

April 8th, 2015 by Veronica Blatt

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Dave Nerz, President
dnerz@npaworldwide.com
+1 616.455.6776 x19

GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN, USA – April 8, 2015 –NPAworldwide, a global recruitment network, announced the results of its business barometer survey. The survey is done twice annually and looks to engage the members of NPAworldwide in documenting past results and predicting short-term future results. NPAworldwide members are global recruiters operating independent, boutique agencies.

“Our member recruiters are very positive and optimistic about the growth potential for their contingent recruiting businesses in the next 6 months” said Dave Nerz, president of NPAworldwide. “This survey of business owners showed that 96% of those surveyed are forecasting similar or improved market conditions in the next 180 days.”

Some other results of this survey showed the following:

The majority of respondents (60%) are from North America.
A significant percentage (22%) of respondents are from Australia/New Zealand.
18% of respondents were in Asia or EMEA.
53% of the global recruiters who responded to the survey reported business as improved in the last 180 days, 29% the same, and 18% as worse.
Most (71%) saw business performing at or above expectations in the last 90 days.
Only 4% of the respondents have a negative outlook for the next 6 months.
A large majority (91%) see fees as remaining at or above the last 6 months levels.

“Our member-owners called out manufacturing and the accounting and finance vertical markets as particularly strong at this time. The results of the business barometer overall pointed to a positive trend for NPAworldwide members and perhaps signals the same for the contingent recruiting as a whole,” said Nerz. “Our members are experiencing good growth and anticipating more in the months ahead.”

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NPAworldwide Announces 2015 Chairman’s Award Recipient

April 1st, 2015 by Veronica Blatt

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Dave Nerz, President
dnerz@npaworldwide.com
+1 616.455.6776 x19

GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN, USA – April 1, 2015 – Rick Corey of Rochester, New York (USA), is the recipient of the 2015 Chairman’s Award, presented by NPAworldwide. The Chairman’s Award, established in 1996, recognizes a current or former NPAworldwide owner, manager, recruiter, or staff member, whose contributions and service to the network represent substantial and lasting benefit. Nominations are sought from the NPAworldwide membership, and the board of directors selects the recipient by secret ballot.

Mr. Corey was previously the owner of OpticsProfessionals, LLC, as well as a longtime employee with Weterrings & Agnew, both located in Rochester. He served on the NPAworldwide board of directors for 14 years, including terms as director, secretary/treasurer, chairman-elect, chairman, and immediate past-chairman. Mr. Corey was also heavily involved on numerous committees and was a tireless advocate for the organization.

“Rick Corey was a steady hand at the wheel during some difficult times for the industry and challenges for the NPAworldwide network. Rick is the father of our current conservative-but-optimistic budgeting process that has kept the network on solid financial ground for many years,” commented NPAworldwide president Dave Nerz. “You never feel like you are working for Rick; you are just a member of his team. The Chairman’s Award is a fitting tribute to his many years of service and leadership.”

“It is a great honor to be awarded the Chairman’s Award,” stated Mr. Corey. “Being a member on various committees and on the Board of Directors has been a privilege and a great connection to members worldwide. Being involved in NPAworldwide has been a great experience, both personally and professionally.”

The Chairman’s Award was presented during a special luncheon as part of the NPAworldwide Global Conference.

NPAworldwide Members Elect Officers and Directors

March 24th, 2015 by Veronica Blatt

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Veronica Scrimshaw, Director of Corporate Communications
vscrimshaw@npaworldwide.com
+1 616.455.6776 x17

GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN, USA – March 24, 2015 – The membership of NPAworldwide has elected a new slate of representatives to its board of directors. The board of directors is responsible for providing strategic leadership and direction to the member-owned international recruiting network. Each person on the board of directors also owns and operates a member recruiting firm. As board members, directors establish the NPAworldwide business plan, identify strategic priorities, develop an annual budget, and oversee network administration.

“NPAworldwide is a member-owned recruitment network and board leadership is a key part of our success as an organization,” said president Dave Nerz. He added, “Over the years, our members have provided the network with outstanding direction and support by electing board members with great insight, industry knowledge, and business expertise. This year is no exception.” Chairman Jeff McGraw remarked, “The challenges facing third-party recruiters are significant. NPAworldwide offers a remarkable venue for independent recruiters to compete in a global marketplace. I am excited to be working with such a dynamic group of business owners to implement a long-term growth strategy for our member-owned network.”

The individuals elected to the NPAworldwide board of directors include the following:

Nerissa Reyes, Avanti People Partnership International (Manila, Philippines), was elected Chairperson-Elect, which is a one-year term. She will automatically become the Chairperson in 2016.
Bill Benson, WilliamCharles Executive Search (Grand Rapids, Michigan, USA), was elected to a two-year term as a secretary/treasurer.
Elsa Duty, Recruiting Services International / RSI (Cincinnati, Ohio, USA), was elected to a two-year term as director.
James Seidel, James Seidel & Associates (Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada), was re-elected to a two-year term as a director.
Patti Steen, The Pelsten Group (Seattle, Washington, USA), was elected to a two-year term as a director.

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6 Independent Recruitment Firms Join NPAworldwide

March 12th, 2015 by The Imagination Factory

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Veronica Scrimshaw, Director of Corporate Communications
vscrimshaw@npaworldwide.com
+1 616.455.6776 x17

GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN, USA – March 12, 2015– NPAworldwide, a member-owned recruitment network, is pleased to announce the following recruitment firms as new members:

Cypress Search (www.cypress-search.com), Lehigh Valley, Pennsylvania, USA
- With a focus on engineering, operations and information technology, Cypress Search LLC has successfully placed manager, director, and VP level candidates in a variety of manufacturing and business services organizations, from mid-sized regional firms up to multi-national Fortune 50 companies.
AMAC Human Resources Consultants Ltd, Central, Hong Kong
- Focus is on banking and insurance, construction and property, engineering, executive and general management, FMCG, finance and accounting, human resources and administration, information technology: IT & telecommunication, legal and company secretarial, logistics, manufacturing, merchandising, retail operation, sales & marketing and trading
L.G. Betts & Associates, Santa Monica, California, USA
- Specializing in sales and marketing, recruitment, staffing, generalist, human resources, executive recruiter, headhunter, software, consumer packaged goods, and manufacturing
The Recruitment Group (www.recruitgroupllc.com), San Diego, California, USA
- Areas of focus include: specializing in IT, engineering, construction and natural resources
MJR Resources Inc (www.mjrresources.com), Dallas, Texas, USA
- Specializing in accounting and finance
AgCall HR Inc (www.agcallhr.com), Calgary, Alberta, Canada
- Exclusive focus on the agriculture industry

“As a member-owned cooperative, each member firm is a part-owner of our network,” said Dave Nerz, president of NPA. “Independent recruitment agencies that join NPAworldwide are committed to increasing their service to clients and candidates by working together with other member firms and sharing the resulting fees. Congratulations to our new members who have made the decision to join NPAworldwide. We look forward to their success in our recruitment network.”

NPAworldwide membership is offered on a selective basis to independently-owned recruitment firms who meet the network’s enrollment criteria and have a strategic interest in making split placements.

About NPAworldwide. NPAworldwide is a recruitment network facilitating placements between its members. The network has nearly 500 member offices with 1,200 recruiters in 30 countries on 6 continents. For more information, please visit www.npaworldwide.com.

Recruitment Firms Join Global Split Placement Network

February 19th, 2015 by The Imagination Factory

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Veronica Scrimshaw, Director of Corporate Communications
vscrimshaw@npaworldwide.com
+1 616.455.6776 x17

GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN, USA – February 19, 2015– NPAworldwide, a member-owned recruitment network, is pleased to announce the following recruitment firms as new members:

Neos Interim Management (www.neosim.be), Brussels, Belgium
- Specializing in general management, marketing & sales, legal affairs, finance & administration, human resources, computer technology and logistics
Ascent Select (www.ascentselect.com), Greensboro, North Carolina, USA
- Areas of focus include: supply chain, strategic sourcing, indirect procurement, logistics, distribution, transportation, legal, finance, and information technology
All Access Recruiters, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
- Specializing in the placement of professional sales representatives, engineers, specialized administrative, operations management, logistics and support positions
Employment Network Canada (www.employmentnetwork.ca), Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada
- Areas of focus include: executive, senior management, engineering, technical, information technology and science, finance, agriculture, operations, marketing & communications, skilled trades and construction specialists
Nia Search (www.niasearch.com), Houston, Texas, USA
- Areas of focus include: oil and gas, healthcare, government, management consulting, higher education and technology industries
The Hendrix Group (www.TheHendrixGroupUSA.com), Little Rock, Arkansas, USA
- Making placements in the areas of accounting, chemical process, information technology, manufacturing and production, sales, marketing, business development, strategic management and supply chain

NPAworldwide membership is offered on a selective basis to independently-owned recruitment firms who meet the network’s enrollment criteria and have a strategic interest in making split placements.

About NPAworldwide. NPAworldwide is a global split placement network facilitating placements between its members. The network consists of nearly 500 locations with 1,200 recruiters in 30 countries on 6 continents. For more information, please visit www.npaworldwide.com.

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Making the Right Connections #413: From Russia with Love

February 13th, 2015 by The Imagination Factory

The Scenario:

Chinese corporate giant seeks CEO
A large Chinese company was looking for a CEO to implement an ambitious new project in Germany.

The Action:

NPAworldwide partner in China lands assignment
The Chinese client contacted an NPAworldwide partner in Nanjing, who accepted the assignment. That partner reached out to another NPAworldwide partner in Ekaterinburg, Russia for help locating qualified candidates.

The Result:

NPAworldwide partner in Russia locates successful candidate, resulting in largest split fee in NPAworldwide history
The Russian partner began an exhaustive search for high-level German automotive candidates. After several months, four candidates were presented, and one was hired.

The process was long and difficult, but ultimately successful due to the teamwork and professionalism of the NPAworldwide partners.

Making the Right Connections #111: The Purple Squirrel

February 13th, 2015 by The Imagination Factory

The Scenario:

Purple Squirrel needed for Brazil
In the recruiting business they are known as “Purple Squirrels” because they can be perfectly described but no one has really seen one. In this case, the employer required the successful candidate to speak Portuguese, be willing to represent the client and travel the South American continent, possess skills in the oil and gas domain, and have contacts with a major oil company.

The Action:

Difficult search, call on NPAworldwide partners
Two members in South America were engaged and the search began.

The Result:

Purple Squirrel located
After globally sourcing potentials, the NPAworldwide members were able to qualify and submit 3 candidates to the employer. All were qualified, but of course, one was a perfect fit.

The perfect candidate was found in Moscow by a senior consultant working for the Brazil-based member. The candidate was originally from Brazil and was ready to return home. So the “Purple Squirrel” was located.

The Houston based NPAworldwide member was asked, “Where do you find these people?” Of course the recruiter’s answer was, “That is what you hire us for. Because of our member-ownership in NPAworldwide, we were ready!”

Making the Right Connections #206: London Calling

February 13th, 2015 by The Imagination Factory

London Skyline

The Scenario:

U.S. publishing company expands its London staff
A large multinational publishing company, headquartered in Oklahoma, was seeking sales, marketing and events professionals in London due to a merger/expansion.

The Action:

Oklahoma partner lands assignment
As a result of persistently marketing NPAworldwide’s international capabilities to this long-time client, a member in Oklahoma received the job orders for the three London positions. The Oklahoma member, primarily an engineering specialist, contacted a member in London for assistance with the positions.

The Result:

Six positions successfully filled
The London member identified candidates which were presented to the client for interviews, and all three openings were successfully filled, as well as an additional three openings. The client’s London hiring manager, with permission from the Oklahoma member, is now interfacing directly with the London member to streamline the hiring process. The two NPAworldwide members have a yearlong exclusive agreement for future recruiting needs with this client in exchange for a modest reduction in the fee schedule.