The professional recruitment environment has changed substantially in the last 10 years. Most industries are enjoying record-low levels of unemployment. This is good news for job seekers, but can be difficult for staffing firms and recruiters to find the right people. It also means the talent pool is smaller than ever, something that Ron Johnson of RKL Resources understands all too well. Recently, he placed a Software Engineer with one of Reflik’s longstanding clients – Fortune 500 listed company Interactive Brokers. It was another great hire for Interactive Brokers and another successful placement through the Reflik platform for a recruiter. So how do recruiting firms make placements with leading companies like Interactive Brokers, Marsh & McLennan, or Canon?
Ron shared his insights into how he was successful in finding and placing a software developer into a challenging role. The full interview can be found at the end of this article.
Recruiting Firm, RKL Resources, Taps Into Reflik’s Innovative Recruiting Solution
In the 20 years of working in the recruitment industry, Ron Johnson has seen a lot of changes in technical IT recruiting. In that time, we’ve seen many advances including the technologies employed to locate candidates and connect them with new roles. Ron believes that he needs to stay ahead of the curve in innovation and he’s found Reflik to be one of the great innovations happening in the recruiting industry. “Reflik’s platform is user-friendly and affords RKL access to different revenue sources. As a result of our partnership with Reflik, we are able to provide candidates for positions that without Reflik we would not have access to,” he explained in a recent interview.
Innovation also extends to how he sources candidates. Ron shared how he enjoyed looking for the latest technologies and “researching and finding a niche recruiting site or tool that relates to the industry of the position that I am recruiting for.” That philosophy allows him to identify passive candidates and understand the subtle nuances that separate individual candidates and their needs. It was the same philosophy that stoked his interest in Reflik and to determine whether he could use his skills and knowledge to help one of our most valued clients, Interactive Brokers.
Attention to the Details is Key to Finding the Right Candidates for Interactive Brokers
Reflik provides transparency for each job, including detailed job descriptions, job insights, and often intake call recordings with hiring managers. Additionally, the feedback and updates provided through Reflik’s “high tech meets high touch” process helps recruiters to submit their quality candidates and stay in the loop better than they otherwise might after submitting a candidate to a company. For these reasons, Reflik has been a much-needed innovation in the otherwise old-fashioned recruiting industry, and one that Ron Johnson has been able to use to the advantage of his business. At the same time, he realizes the immense benefits for his pool of candidates and for the businesses looking to hire. Reflik is a win-win situation for everybody concerned. This is a big reason why Interactive Brokers routinely outsources recruitment to Reflik for professionals and staffing firms to help them find top talent.
Ron appreciates how Reflik approaches hiring requests with a succinctness rarely seen elsewhere. For RKL Resources, there are advantages in the usefulness of the information in the job listing from the start. Additionally, information about the company helps provide a sense of the organization’s mission statement, core beliefs, ethics, and requirements – elements not always considered when looking to fill a placement. Armed with this information, it’s far easier to conduct a search of eligible candidates and determine whether they would be a good fit for the organization and vice versa. This philosophy was vital in the recent discovery of the right candidate to take Interactive Brokers forward.
Successful Screening Leads to Successful Recruiting Placements
Locating the ideal candidate is never easy. But Ron of RKL Resources already feels Reflik has given him some rewarding experiences. So much so, that he intends to expand his operations on the crowdsourcing platform and connect more candidates to roles such as those offered by Interactive Brokers.
In our interview, Ron was also keen to point out the human element and tried and tested methods of recruiting that have always worked. Even with all the technology to hand, it’s important to narrow down the search for a candidate – to ask pertinent questions and listen to responses. These questions not only help eliminate the unsuitable candidates, but they also help recruiters and hiring businesses to decide between otherwise seemingly equally matched candidates.
“Submitting the best candidate that matched the qualifications for this role was a key in making this placement. Reflik provides great job description and information about each company which was crucial in sourcing and placing this candidate,” Johnson further explained.
One closing thought from Ron is that recruiters at the beginning of their career should “develop great habits”, take notes when communicating with a candidate (including saving notes with his favorite app, Evernote), and to document and learn from their process to strive for improvement.
Reflik provides recruiters, recruiting agencies, and staffing firms access to hundreds of companies and their open job orders through an easy-to-use website. Learn more and start recruiting today by clicking here.
Interview with Ron Johnson of RKL Resources, a Richmond, VA based staffing firm
How did you get started in the recruiting industry?
I started working in the recruiting industry as an IT Technical Recruiter for a staff augmentation company about 20 years ago.
What initially drew your recruiting firm, RKL Resources, to join Reflik?
RKL Resources is always seeking opportunities to partner with innovative organizations to supplement our existing customer base. Reflik’s platform is user-friendly and affords RKL access to different revenue sources. As a result of our partnership with Reflik, we are able to provide candidates for positions that without Reflik we would not have access to. We look forward to continuing to increase our revenue through the partnership with Reflik.
What advice do you have for a recruiter just starting their career?
I would tell any new recruiter to develop great habits at the beginning of their career. Record great notes whenever you speak to a candidate. Document your recruiting process. This will allow you to establish some consistency and learn what works for you. Remember that every position is different. Join online groups on LinkedIn, Facebook or any of your favorite social media sites that have names related to your type of recruiting. Continue to learn about the recruiting industry and the recruiting process.
You recently filled a role with Interactive Brokers on Reflik. What were the keys to sourcing & placing that candidate?
The first was to understand the job description and make sure I knew what the client was looking for. The next was to identify where and how I was going to source for potential candidates. Asking good questions and listening to the responses of the candidates were also keys in identifying the ideal person. Submitting the best candidate that matched the qualifications for this role was important in making this placement. Reflik provides great job description and information about each company which was crucial in sourcing and placing this candidate.
What is your favorite tip or trick for finding the right candidates for a job?
There are a lot of factors to consider when searching for the ideal candidate. I like researching and finding a niche recruiting site or tool that relates to the industry of the position that I am recruiting for. This sometimes allows me to identify passive candidates that may not be actively looking but may be open for the right position.
Do you have any favorite tools, technologies, or apps that you would like to share
I like to use the app called Evernote. You can use it on your cell phone and your computer. It is a great productivity app.
Anything else that you would like to add?
My experience working with Reflik has been very rewarding. I am looking forward to expanding and connecting more qualified candidates to open positions with Reflik.
