When it comes to recruitment in 2011, is it what you know or who you know that can make or break a demanding role?
While businesses everywhere are trusting the advice of their recruitment specialists like they do their lawyers, there is one sector of the economy that appears reluctant to break with old habits.
Agriculture is currently experiencing something of a quiet boom in some fields, despite the fragile economy, but there are concerns that some of its traditional recruiting methods are holding it back.
“It is my perception that the agriculture industry prefers to recruit from its own inner circle rather than looking professionally for the best person for the job,” said Headhunter Ian Millard, Agriculture Specialist of Collingwood Search & Selection. “While that may work well in some cases, the right person won’t always surface in such a narrow pool. I’ve been surprised to learn that even placing or responding to adverts is quite unusual.”
A survey of those involved in the farming industry has this month led to calls for a more structured approach to career development as the sector struggles to attract young people. More than three-quarters of those who responded to the Oxford Farming Conference survey said fewer young people view agriculture as a career and many expressed concerns about investment in research, skills and training.
“It seems the industry is being held back by the things that it has some control over, which is frustrating” said Ian. “It is struggling to attract young talent and is reluctant to change the habits of a lifetime when it comes to recruiting.
“We have just successfully recruited for an agricultural client who looked outside his immediate circle of contacts for the first time and has been delighted with the results. There are excellent candidates out there, you just need to be proactive and know where to look.”
With parts of the farming industry bucking the negative economic trends, the argument to headhunt professionally to remain ahead of the game is a compelling one. According to the experts at Collingwood Search and Selection, it’s an investment that will pay off in the long run.
“Tempting as it may be to recruit your friends and acquaintances, it’s about having the best talent for your business not the best talent you know,” explained Ian.
Our specialist headhunters at Collingwood Search & Selection Ltd can help you recruit the right person for your role. Please call us on 01829 732374.
