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If you’re running a team of building service consultants, you probably know how difficult it can be to get competent consultants. That’s why it’s always good to use a recruiting agent. A good agent will possess specific characteristics that help set them apart from their counterparts, and help you to acquire the best quality of engineer. 

 

Below is a list of traits to look for in an agent. If your recruitment agent possesses most of these, they most likely have you on the right track. 

 

1. They Communicate With You Regularly

 

A dedicated agent will prioritise your needs above anything else. On that note, the only way they can truly understand your requirements is by regularly communicating with you. 

 

Look for an agent who asks plenty of questions from the start. They should not only show an interest in your company, but ensure that they have their hand on the pulse. This is a sign that they’re trying to understand your needs in order to find solutions that best align with your demands. 

A good agent will also make an effort to keep in touch with you regularly. Please note that “regular” could mean different things for different people. Some agents may only contact you once a week, whereas others would communicate every day. Communication should be clear, concise and direct. 

 

The frequency of communication depends upon individual circumstances that vary on a case-by-case basis. What really matters is that your agent makes an effort to communicate any important news to you within a reasonable time limit. Remember, a quality agent won’t leave their client out of the loop.

 

2. They Possess Ample Knowledge About their Speciality

 

When you’re looking for an engineer, it’s important to hire an expert with ample knowledge about their field. 

 

There’s no point in working with an agent who isn’t in touch with common facts about the building services niche. If your agent knows nothing about building services work, they won’t be able to get you a good engineer. 

 

You might come across agents who wear many hats. Some might introduce themselves as recruiting agents but may only be practising it as a side hustle. Hence, it’s important to look at your agent’s resume or prior experience before you sign a contract with them. You might even want to ask which companies they work with and collect references. 

 

If you’ve already signed a deal with your agent but aren’t sure if they’re genuinely good at their job, don’t worry. This next point will help you analyse whether or not you should continue to work with them. 

 

3. They Are Impressively Resourceful

 

You’re bound to hit a few bumps along the road to achieving a goal. Luckily, a good agent will be able to help you get through any rough patches that may come your way. 

 

A quality agent will have advanced problem-solving abilities that stem from their expert resourcefulness. This means that they’ll have a healthy resource toolkit to work with, thanks to their ample experience and analytical mind. 

 

They may even have additional contacts whom they might call to ask for a favour or guidance. The better connected an agent is with other field experts, the sooner they’ll be able to solve your problems. 

 

4. They Have an Engaging Personality

 

Have you noticed how most agents have charming, confident personalities? These personality traits are exactly what help them influence others and get good engineers on board. Remember, your agent is a primary representative of your brand. It’s important to find a perfect balance in an agent, someone who is a charismatic representative that also is full of industry knowledge. If you find that, you’ve hit the jackpot. 

 

5. They Are Aware of Current Market Trends

 

A quality agent will be up to date with market salaries, industry events and trends. There’s no point in working with an agent whose knowledge is old.

 

Knowing what’s in demand right now will help your agent communicate effective advice to you. You can then use this advice to alter what you’re looking for so that it better matches industry standards. This, in turn, will allow your agent to better advertise your company and help you find the best engineers.

 

Final Thoughts

 

As you can see, there’s more than just a formal title that goes into being a good agent. Many individuals call themselves agents, but few are truly equipped to help you meet your goals.

Here’s a quick summary of the traits a quality agent should ideally possess:

 

  • Excellent communication skills
  • Possess ample knowledge concerning their field
  • Be resourceful and have commendable problem-solving skills
  • Possess an engaging personality
  • Be acutely aware of current market trends

 

By finding a recruiting agent who has these qualities, you’ll get a great building services engineer in no time. 

 

Author: Danny Main is a co-owner & Director at Responsum Global. He has over 15 years of experience matching the top building services engineering talent with the best employers. He has over 100 written success stories. He’s active on LinkedIn, is a host on The Building Services Podcast, and a regular writer on The Building Services Blog. He loves football, talking properties and owns a cat that is bigger than his dog.

 

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