Staffing Agency vs. Internal Recruiting: What I’ve Learned from Being in Both and How It Can Help You Land a Job
Staffing Agency vs. Internal Recruiting: What I’ve Learned from Being in Both and How It Can Help You Land a Job
Recruiting plays a vital role in connecting job seekers to opportunities, and understanding the different types of recruiting can help you navigate your job search more effectively. In my time as a recruiter, I’ve worked in both internal recruiting and staffing agency recruiting, and each offers unique advantages for job seekers. Here’s a breakdown of how they work, how they differ, and how you can make the most of both to land your next role.
Internal Recruiting: Working for the Company You Want to Join
Internal recruiters are part of the talent acquisition team at the company where you’re applying. They’re usually embedded in the Human Resources (HR) department and recruit for a wide range of roles across various departments, skillsets, and office locations for that specific company.
Why It Matters for You
When you’re interacting with an internal recruiter, you’re speaking directly to someone whose sole focus is filling roles for that company. They act as the “first line of defense,” meaning they review applicants and decide whether to move candidates forward to the hiring manager. Internal recruiters are gatekeepers, but they’re also your advocates within the company—if you can win them over.
How to Communicate with Internal Recruiters
Be Specific: Explain why you’re a perfect fit for the role and how your experience aligns with the company’s needs.
Show Enthusiasm: Be prepared to articulate why this specific company excites you over others in the industry.
Come Prepared: Do your homework about the company, its values, and the role you’re applying for. The more personalized your pitch, the better.
Pro Tip: Internal recruiters are often juggling a lot of candidates for different positions, so make your pitch memorable by being clear, concise, and genuinely interested in this company.
Agency Recruiting: The Power of a Wider Net
Agency recruiters, on the other hand, work for staffing firms that provide recruiting services to multiple companies. They typically specialize in specific skillsets (like accounting, engineering, or customer service) and recruit across various industries.
Instead of recruiting for just one company, agency recruiters have access to roles at many organizations and can align you with the best fit for your skills and career goals.
Why It Matters for You
Agency recruiters are more focused on your skillset as a whole, rather than how you fit a single company or role. This broader approach increases your chances of landing a position because they often have multiple openings across several companies for candidates with your expertise.
How to Communicate with Agency Recruiters
Highlight Your Skillset: Focus on pitching your overall experience, expertise, and transferable skills. Agency recruiters aren’t as interested in why you want to work for a specific company—they care about what you bring to the table for any role in your field.
Be Flexible: Agency recruiters may have opportunities that differ slightly from what you envisioned. Be open to hearing about options you might not have considered, especially if they align with your long-term goals.
Build a Relationship: A good agency recruiter can be a valuable ally in your job search, helping you navigate the job market and providing feedback to make you a stronger candidate.
Pro Tip: Keep in mind that many agency roles are contract or contract-to-hire. These positions can provide valuable experience and lead to full-time roles, but there’s no guarantee. That said, agency recruiters are incentivized to place candidates, so they’ll often work hard to get you hired quickly.
Which is Better for Your Job Search?
Both internal and agency recruiters are excellent resources, but their goals and methods are different:
Internal recruiters focus on screening candidates for specific positions at their company. You’re working 1:1 with them, so you need to tailor your application and interview to demonstrate why you’re the perfect fit for that company.
Agency recruiters work to place candidates in roles across multiple companies. By presenting your skills and experience effectively, you increase your chances of being considered for several opportunities at once.
The Bottom Line
Internal recruiters are there to weed out applicants, while agency recruiters are there to hunt through the weeds to find talent. Both play vital roles in the hiring process, and understanding how to approach each can give you an edge in your job search.
When working with an internal recruiter, focus on being specific, prepared, and enthusiastic about the company. For agency recruiters, highlight your skills, build a relationship, and be open to exploring different opportunities.
Ultimately, both types of recruiters want the same thing: to connect great candidates with great roles. By leveraging their strengths and tailoring your approach, you can position yourself for success no matter where you’re applying.
