How We Partner with You for Recruitment Hires

Whether you’re new to Instinct, you’re returning to using our services or are simply looking for a refresher on how we work, this article will give you an insight into how we partner with clients to support across a range of recruitment types.

Common questions about how we work

Is there a cost to candidates?

There is no cost to candidates in using Instinct’s services, any recruitment costs are on the client’s side as they opt to use our services to secure the best talent for their roles.

Are candidates at any disadvantage coming through an agency?

There is no disadvantage to candidates embarking on their job search through an agency and there are in fact many advantages. Instinct will construct an individual profile for each candidate we work with, we offer preparation calls for interviews and can support with tailoring CVs. On top of this, we often work on exclusive roles that aren’t on the market to apply to anywhere else!

Do you have people on your books who match this certain skill set?

It is a common misconception that we have a ‘catalogue’ of candidates. We have a very well-developed network within the areas we cover, however above all we function as an executive search agency and any candidates or contractors that Instinct supplies your business will be contacted, screened and carefully chosen to meet your specific business needs.

Recruitment of contract individuals 

Contract recruitment is our speediest form of recruitment. On average it takes us around 48 hours from initial vacancy consultation to the delivery of CVs. How quickly things turn around thereafter depends simply on the interview process, we can have someone start the same week if required!

Once we have established a client need for contract resource, whether that be for a specific project, maternity/sick cover, or simply an extra pair of hands, we go ahead with arranging a vacancy consultation. This is where the contract need is discussed. We consult on the best skillset for the job, the average market day rate, different ways of working with contractors and any other details about the work.

We have a wide network of contractors, and this will always be our first port of call for client needs as these are referenced individuals for whom we have received positive feedback in the past. Following that we conduct a search for the specific skills discussed during the consultation and will reach out to new individuals in the space to ensure we are uncovering the best talent for the client’s specific needs.

Contractors are provided with a brief for each of the contracts they are put forward for and have the time to ask questions about the client themselves and the project work before we move ahead. Day rates are also discussed from the get-go to uphold full transparency throughout the process with both our candidates and clients.

Following the interview stage, Instinct will deliver any offers that clients wish to make to contractors, this involves providing details such as start date, confirmed rate, days per week etc. Each contractor has a contract with Instinct either via a limited company or Umbrella service and Instinct contract directly with the end client.

Contracts are run via a timesheet portal which is filled out and submitted to the hiring manager monthly for approval. Instinct offers a credit facility to our clients which means they have time to pay and ensures that each of our contractors are paid on time. This proves particularly popular with our contractors (check out our Google reviews!).

Instinct’s fee for contractors is incorporated into the day rate which means there are no hidden costs whatsoever, all you must remember to do is to add on the VAT.

Recruitment for permanent and FTC positions 

When it comes to Permanent and Fixed Term Contract recruitment types, these are conducted in very similar ways, as both are for salaried roles where the candidate will be becoming a part of the client’s workforce.

Instinct’s turnaround time from initial vacancy consultation to delivery of CVs for permanent and FTC roles is 5 working days. The remaining process time is determined by interview processes similar to contract recruitment. We can facilitate interviews on a remote or a face-to-face basis and have seen more of a demand for the latter in recent months.

Following vacancy consultation, each role will be allocated to two Resource Professionals on Instinct’s team to allow the required time to be dedicated to the position. An executive search will be conducted from the beginning as we look to start uncovering the most relevant talent for that specific role. We will look to uncover and speak with not only those who are actively on the market but also the individuals who aren’t looking, and who would have not naturally stumbled across the job advert. A study by LinkedIn showed that around 60% of employees were passive job seekers who would be open to new opportunities, whilst only 25% of these are actively applying.

Following screening to establish that candidates are the right fit for a role, Instinct offers complimentary services such as CV advice (tweaking & tailoring) and preparatory calls to our candidates. Should a client wish to make an offer we will deliver this and clarify details such as start date, salary, and working arrangements (onsite/hybrid/remote). We will collect any documents needed for onboarding in addition to references and provide these to the client’s HR team.  

The fee for permanent recruitment is a percentage of the candidate’s annual remuneration package and is separate from the salary itself, which does not affect what the candidate earns. FTC recruitment works in a very similar way, with the only difference being that anything less than a year is pro rata to the length of the contract.

I hope this helps to provide an insight into the world of agency recruitment and what that process looks like if you choose to partner with us as it really isn’t complex at all! If you have any further questions about the way our contract or permanent recruitment works, please feel free to get in touch.