Albania, a southeastern European country, is experiencing a boom in tourism, the private sector, and Labour, but the question is—is it still difficult to find the right job or employee for your company? 

Yes, unless you are good at finding the right recruiter. 

Job and employee hunting are herculean tasks at both ends. However, hiring agencies bridge the gap and efficiently connect job seekers and employers.

If you are a company, an employer, or an active Job seeker in Albania, this ultimate guide will be super helpful in finding the right hiring agency near you. 

What is a Hiring Agency and How Does It Work?

A hiring agency is a matchmaker, so to speak. It is a firm or company that connects employers with employees and vice versa. 

For employers in need of staff and people in need of jobs,  hiring agencies act as an intermediary, providing employers with staffing solutions and job seekers with desired opportunities. 

It is often interchangeably called a recruitment or employment agency (though they are slightly different). 

Here’s a simple breakdown of the working of a hiring agency-

1. A company requires a worker. It contacts a hiring agency. 
2. The agency looks through its database to find the most suitable candidates for the job role. 
3. It selects a few best candidates, making sure they meet job requirements, and conducts further steps to hiring, like screening and an interview. 
4. Then, the agency sends the shortlisted candidates to the company(Employer).
5. The employing entity makes a final decision, and the hiring agency is paid. 

In layman’s language, Employers outsource their hiring process through a third party, which is nothing but a hiring agency. 

Why You Should Consider Hiring a Recruitment Agency?

There are several benefits of using hiring agencies. Here are five of them-

Access to a Pool of Quality Applicants

Recruitment agencies have access to a vast pool of talent. Their database includes thousands of Job seekers and connections, which allows them to source multiple quality candidates to fill vacant positions. The more variety there is, the more chances there are of quality employees.  

– Saves time and hires fast

Hiring is a time-consuming task. This process requires an in-depth analysis of the applications. But hiring agencies save you time. 

They provide end-to-end recruitment services.   They analyse, filter out the applications, shortlist, and even interview the candidates who best meet the criteria. With their vast database, they can locate the right candidates with the desired skills faster. 

– Accuracy 

Recruitment agencies are adept at industry knowledge. They focus on the company’s requirements and understand the job description, job seekers’ goals, value drivers, and unique selling points.  

This means an employer may get the most accurate fit for its open position, and candidates may get deserving positions. 

– Specialized Hiring Managers

 A recruitment agency solely works to find the best matches for the Job role. Some specialised hiring firms even offer services in a particular niche. For example,  if you have an open role in IT or construction, you may hire an agency in the same niche.  

They have hiring managers specialized in particular fields. They conduct screening and interviews with relevant knowledge and perspectives so that you won’t get an employee for your  IT department interviewed by an artist. 

How to Identify a Trustworthy Hiring Agency?

Before choosing a recruitment partner, you must look beyond costs. Here’s a table that shows probable signs of a trustworthy hiring agency and a fishy one. 

The Different Types of Hiring Agencies

There are multiple types of hiring agencies. We have mentioned 7 of them below- 

1. Traditional/ General Hiring Agency 
2. Contingency Hiring Agency
3. Retained recruitment Firms 
4. Executive Search Services (Headhunters)
5. Temp Agencies
6. Recruitment Process Outsourcing (RPO)
7. Niche-specific Agencies

Questions to Ask Before Hiring an Agency

Ask these 10  questions before hiring an agency to ensure they are reliable and reputable.

Q1 What are your areas of Expertise?

Q2  How do you locate the right candidates? 

Q3 Can you show your last two hirings in the previous 6 months? 

Q4 Do you also find passive candidates? 

Q5 What tools do you use?

Q6 What is the recruitment fees structure?

Q7 Can I cancel my contract with you anytime?

Q8 Will I get a full refund If I am not satisfied?

Q9 What do you expect from me in this project? 

Q10 How do you deal with uncertain crises? 

How Much Do Hiring Agencies Charge?

Recruitment agencies charge differently. The cost of hiring agency may vary depending on the type of agency, Job level, Market/location, etc. Local Job placement services charge less compared to national or international ones.

Most agencies charge on a Percentage basis. They cut  15% to 20% of the hired candidate’s first-year salary. For example, an agency charges 15% of the salary, then 

Annual Candidate salary =$75000 

Agency fee =$11,250

Some agencies also charge on a bill rate model, which charges an employer hourly. The Bill rating model is expensive.

What to Expect in the Hiring Process?

As an employer, you should expect-

• A deep conversation or meeting approaches from the agency. It is a sign that the agency is serious about its work. 
• Quality candidates and not resume flooding
• Screening and Interview Process Efficiency
•  Regular Updates 
• Post-hire check- whether the candidates have joined or not

The Pros and Cons of Using a Hiring Agency

Though there are many advantages of recruitment agencies, there are some disadvantages also- 

Pros- 

•  Faster hiring 
•  Comprehensive support
•  Reduced workload
•  Competitive employees
•  Choice to have temporary or permanent employees

Cons- 

 ❌ High Costs

 ❌ Loyalty issues( Hiring agencies are paid by employers, so there’s a chance your recruiting partner compromises quality over quantity)

 ❌Dependence and less control over the hiring process

Case Studies: Successful Hiring Through Agencies

Unveil the success stories of recruitment from some top companies in the world- 

• Unilever

Unilever, the consumer goods company, once needed marketing professionals for its Asia-Pacific operations. It worked with a UK-based hiring agency and got 30 new marketers in 4 months. 

• Volvo Group 

  With the help of a hiring agency. Volvo, a Swedish automaker company, hired 80 professionals from different countries in 5 months to address their global logistics disruptions.

• Cleveland Clinic

US-based healthcare provider Cleveland once filled 113 specialised job roles nationwide in collaboration with a major US-based recruiting agency. The agency recruited professionals through various virtual hiring events. 

• General Motors

General Motors, an automotive manufacturer, dealt with a high turnover spike(21%) post-pandemic with the help of a recruiting agency. The agency filled more than 90% of the vacant positions within 3 months.

Future Trends in the Recruitment Industry

Whether you want to be an employer or into the recruitment business, a little insight into the future of staffing is constructive. 

Many companies are already saving a ton of money by using AI for hiring. Unilever is one of them. Staffing agencies are using AI to match candidates with job roles at a much faster speed.. 

Many recruitment agencies have noticed that most candidates choose a company that enables them to apply easily through mobiles over those that don’t.  Candidates are now hired based on their critical skills rather than their past job history or degrees. 

Conclusion: Pace up Hiring with Oman Agencies

Finding a trustworthy hiring agency can be challenging. We at Oman Agencies offer reliable staffing solutions in Albania and across various countries. Having placed more than 50,000 candidates already, we are confident in our staffing solutions in multiple industries. 

Let us be your matchmaker. Contact Oman Agencies to find jobs overseas and put a stop to your tiring job hunt.