Choosing Your Recruiting Strategy: In-house, Agency or Freelancer?

updated on 9 July 2021

Every business, whether it is a starting or existing one, will have to make the same decision at some point. What are we doing with recruitment? In a perfect world the ideal candidate will just show up on your doorstep, and you will work happily ever after. Unfortunately, this rarely happens, and finding the perfect candidate for the job can be like looking for a needle in a haystack.

There are different ways to find your perfect employee. A lot of companies start with in-house recruitment. If you don’t have space for an in-house recruiter you might seek the help of an agency or a freelancer. Every option has its benefits, and a choice for one does not necessarily rule out the other. This blog will talk you through the different recruitment options, and maybe even introduce you to a completely new recruiting strategy!

Why choose in-house recruitment?

When it comes to in-house recruitment we can differentiate two different approaches. The choice between the two depends mainly on your companies budget. When a manager who is also responsible for many other tasks in a company takes on recruitment, we speak of a “Hiring Manager”.

Benefits of using a hiring manager

  1. Financial. This person is already paid by the company, so there are no extra costs involved.
  2. Culture. The hiring manager is very familiar with the companies culture, therefore will be able to choose a candidate who will fit in easier.

Downsides of using a hiring manager

  1. Financial. Recruitment takes time. Taking time away from someone’s actual duties can cost more than it saves.
  2. Expertise. It might seem easy, but recruitment is a very specific skill. Lack of expertise might result in missing out or even hiring the wrong people for the job.

In-house recruiting can also be done by a specialised team. Often this falls on the HR-managers desk. The HR manager might be in charge of a recruiting team or will do this next to other human resource duties.

Benefits of using an in-house recruiting team

  1. Control. Every part of the process is in your hands.
  2. Adaptation. As a vital part of the team, they will be able to grow with changes every company goes through, and adapt the hiring process to this.

Downsides of using an in-house recruiting team

  1. Financial. Hiring a full-time staff member is very costly.
  1. Expertise. Every job is different and needs different contacts. Your HR manager might be able to find a great office manager but will struggle with a higher management position.

Why choose a recruitment agency?

We have looked at the pros and cons of in-house recruitment. If this made you realize you would rather outsource this part of your company, you have several options. The first one is working with a recruitment agency.

How does it work? There is a huge amount of recruitment agencies; multinationals, intermediate local agencies, and smaller boutique agencies that focus on a specific market. You can work with them on a position to position basis or outsource your complete recruitment process.

Whatever you choose, the way they work will be very similar. You introduce a position, and the recruitment agency presents a list of suited candidates. When you decide to hire one of those candidates the recruitment agency will take a commission. This commission is usually a percentage of the candidate’s yearly wage.

Benefits of using a recruitment agency

  1. Expertise. Recruitment is what they do. This will save you a lot of time and will fill up your position faster.
  2. Contacts. They will have a database of candidates and contacts in your market. This will increase the chance of finding the ideal employee.

Downsides of using a recruitment agency

  1. Culture. An agency recruiter will usually work for many companies. Therefore, the understanding of what your company needs will always be lacking compared to a staff member of your own.
  2. Finance. Using a recruitment agency can get very expensive.

Why choose a freelance recruiter?

The downside of working with a recruitment company can be the lack of involvement in your companies culture. How can someone who does not work for you, know what person will suit you best? A freelance recruiter can be an outcome.

Benefits of using a freelance recruiter

  1. Culture. A freelance recruiter can become part of your company and therefore understand the culture way better.
  2. Expertise A freelance recruiter can be specialized in the industry you are looking for, which will result in better candidates.

Downsides of using a freelance recruiter

  1. Time. It takes time to find the right recruiter for your company. You might need to interview and work with several recruiters before you have the right fit.
  2. Finance. Good freelance recruiters come with a price tag you might not be willing to pay.

What if you could have the best of both worlds?

So many different options and all with their pros and cons. But what if you could have it all? What if you could work with an agency that works as a freelance recruiter, but does not cost you the time and the money? HirePort might be exactly what you have been looking for!

HirePort makes sure your companies values, and the position you offer is presented in the best possible way. This way recruiters will know what type of candidate to look for, and you will only have to tell your story once. Only the best independent recruiters are selected by HirePort and will have the chance to present their best candidates.

Every part of the hiring process is made easy by the HirePort platform. Interview processes, communication, scheduling, review- and feedback loops; it’s all done automatically. This means you can spend less time chasing, and more time hiring. Visit the for employers part of our website to see what HirePort can do for you!