5 Tips for Brokerages Hiring Real Estate Recruiters for the First Time
Finding the best real estate professionals to join your brokerage can be a challenging task, but it’s certainly not impossible. There are tools like Broker Kit, for example, that can help you organize your list of leads, automate email campaigns, and even use data to help refine your strategies.
However, depending on your team’s size and experience, working with a real estate recruiter to find the best candidates may be the better option. This way, you can focus on growth-building and other crucial tasks within your company.
If this is your first time hiring a real estate recruiter or if you’re planning on changing providers, here are some helpful tips:
Don’t Wait Until the Last Minute
As the old saying goes, haste makes waste. This adage applies to a lot of things, including recruitment. As such, don’t wait until the last minute to look for a recruiter. In fact, hiring a real estate recruiter months before you actually need a new employee is the best thing to do. Remember that the recruitment process can take a while, especially if you’re looking to fill more senior positions. By getting a head start, you’ll have plenty of time to meet, set expectations, and really narrow down your candidate list.
Having a window period also gives candidates a bit of time to settle their affairs. For example, if they need to move, they can search for a place and move in without a deadline looming over their heads. They can also get acclimated to the new neighborhood. You can even invite them to the office to introduce them to their colleagues before they officially start their job. Ultimately, this situation benefits everyone involved.
Get Your Own People Involved
Your involvement in the recruiting process doesn’t end after you sign the contract. In fact, it’s a bad idea to just leave everything in the hands of recruiters. Of course, you shouldn’t get in the way of the recruiter’s evaluation of the candidates. There’s a line between involvement and meddling, after all.
Still, make sure you’re keeping everyone updated about the latest developments. In particular, have your own HR team keep in touch with the recruiters. This way, it’s easier to discuss matters such as salaries and other personnel concerns. The HR team should also ideally get involved in the sourcing process, since they have a clearer idea about the kind of person suited to the job.
Be Clear About Your “Ideal Candidate”
Speaking of the person suited to the job, make sure that you’re very clear with the recruiter about the kind of agent, broker, or other real estate professional you want. Aside from skills you want the candidate to possess, you should also identify personality traits. If you have an employee who can serve as a model, have them talk with the recruiter so that the recruiter can get a firmer grasp of the ideal candidate.
Don’t forget to explain why you think your description of an ideal candidate is the best fit for the company. This way, you and the recruiter will be better aligned, resulting in a smoother process and good hires.
Consider How They’ll Represent Your Brokerage
Remember that when a recruiter faces a potential candidate, they aren’t just a recruiter but rather a representative of your company. This means that the candidate’s first impression of them is also their first impression of you. When a job seeker has a bad experience, they might think of your brokerage as a bad company to work for and not continue with their application.
Look for a recruiter that represents your brokerage well. Do you want someone who’s assertive or someone who’s a little more laid-back and feels like a person you can have a beer with? Think of your company culture to help you determine which recruiter can put your brokerage’s proverbial best foot forward.
Of course, you should also think about what a candidate wants in a recruiter. Some of the qualities you’re looking for include empathy, good listening skills, and being organized.
Keep in Touch Even After a Placement
A recruiter’s job is to find the best candidates and help you hire the best real estate professionals for your company. This means that, technically, they can say “mission accomplished” when your new employee has signed on with you and starts working. However, if you’re aiming to build a working relationship with recruiters, you definitely should keep in touch even after you’ve already made a hire.
Maintaining a strong connection with a real estate recruiter has plenty of advantages. For one, you can cultivate a healthy professional network. You’ll also have an easier time looking for new candidates in the future, should you need to hire more. In fact, if you’re on good terms with a recruiter, they might even refer a passive candidate without you even asking. This means that you can build your own talent pool, making the recruitment process even more hassle-free.
Good luck in your search for new members of your team! Keep these tips in mind so you can find a real estate recruiter to help you with your goals.
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