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FAQ Questions

How does recruitment brokerage work?
The recruitment broker takes a brief of a job requirement from an employer. eg. call centre team leader, an accountant, PA, website developer or software salesperson.

In this brief, the recruitment broker identifies requirements including job specifications, reporting lines, remuneration range. Also included are intangibles such as client culture, human environment, societal and family-orientation working conditions.

The recruitment broker then communicates these requirements via written specifications and open discourse to the partner agents. The partner agent accepting the brief, sources candidates from a variety of databases, industry contacts, personal networks and through advertising. Relevant candidates are then "screened" through interviews, second interviews and a short list of "best qualified" candidates is developed. The broker then manages the interview process from presentation of the shortlisted candidates through to secondary reference checks, "the offer", placement, billing & candidate care. This leaves the partner agent available to spend time on candidate management and their own clients. RSP manages the placement fee exclusively but provides full disclosure to the relevant broker partner. Agents and broker accept mutual responsibility for the placement guarantee period.
What are the primary benefits of recruitment brokerage?
For employers, recruitment brokerage increases access to the candidate/agency market with greater efficiency. It also provides one single point of contact and no extra cost to using a single supplier. For a partner agent, it provides an outsourced business development unit. The agent is able to accept or decline placement opportunities on a case-by-case basis. There is no cost if there is no success. Candidates are able to access increased job opportunities and gain greater exposure to the jobs market.
Does it have any shortcomings you've found it necessary to work on?
Employer-clients have responded very favourably. RSP has secured excellent assignments and ongoing support from corporates including Hutchison 3G, Unisys, HSBC, Dimension Data, and Suncorp GIO. Occasionally, there are crossovers as the recruitment industry has not traditionally worked in a collaborative manner.
What happens if there is a double up and RSP and a partner agent have the same brief?
Once RSP qualifies that it has the same role, it will defer to the partner agent. If that partner cannot fill the role, RSP will use its own resources to meet client needs.
How does RSP respond when a partner agent discovers that the referral is from one of its own clients?
RSP qualifies whether the partner has been briefed on that particular assignment. If so, RSP will defer to the partner agent or assist with the assignment itself. RSP will also ask how well the partner is managing the account and attempt to assist with the client/agent relationship In every case RSP will protect the interests of its partners and their candidates. This type of situation is rare. It would be treated on a case by case basis with a solution that is both reasonable and fair to all parties.

NB - The above two situations should not happen in practice as upon briefing, RSP consultants always qualify with the client which other agencies, if any are working on the assignment.
Candidates? Who actually "owns" the candidate?
All partner agent resumes and details are stored on our secure system for easy referral. All candidate referrals remain the property of the partner agent for 12 months.
How can the partner agent brief candidates if they have not met the client?
It is the responsibility of RSP to take lengthy and in-depth briefings with clients. Negotiations cover tangible and intangible aspects of the client, its role, business environment, culture, personality fit, and so on.

This is supported by extensive phone discussions between our consultants and that of the partner agent. Only when the partner agent feels satisfied that it has enough information should the opportunity be accepted/declined. It is the choice of the partner agent - if they don't feel sufficient information has been provided then they should not accept the assignment.
Does RSP provide guarantees?
All placements are made according to RSP's standard terms unless it is working at a negotiated rate with a particular client.

In this case the partner will be informed of the changes to the rate at the time of the briefing. Partner agencies are expected to also read, agree, and sign an agency partner agreement following the start of the relationship. In the event of a candidate leaving within the agreed guarantee period, the partner agent is responsible for a replacement candidate.

If they cannot replace the candidate then they have to refund their share of the joint fee as RSP will have to source a replacement from their resources or from other partner agents.
Who are your other partners?
This is confidential. What we can say is that we have selected partner agencies across industry specialty, knowledge, geography and experience. Therefore most partners are not in competition with each other. At the most we would brief four partners on each specific opportunit. Usually it is just two.
Do the partner agents get exclusivity over an opportunity?
No. However, if a partner agent presents an outstanding short list very quickly, RSP will put the search on hold pending client feedback on the candidates.
Can the partner agent directly talk to the client?
A competitive advantage of RSP is that we provide a single point of contact for clients. However, on a case by case basis, we are happy to introduce our partner agents. This usually happens following a client request. If the partner agent has had multiple placements with the client, direct contact becomes part of the briefing process eg highly technical or international searches.

RSP promotes honesty and integrity. RSP encourages client contact whenever it will assist the recruitment process. Agreements are in place to protect the interests of all parties.

These agreements are legally binding.
Does RSP have its own candidates/database?
RSP does have its own candidate database.

It does accept assignments when and if it can fill the brief and do it in an expedient manner. This practice ensures that RSP maintains its integrity as a recruitment specialist focused on client needs.

In every case, RSP primarily places the interests of clients above all other interests.

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