With over 60 years of combined recruitment experience under our belts, we’ve earned our seat at the recruitment dinner table. And while that gives us confidence in our expertise, it also grounds us in something more important, empathy. Because no matter how complex recruitment gets, and by jings and crivens, it does get complex, people remain at the centre of everything we do.
We’ve walked both sides of the fence, agency and internal. We’ve been the external recruiter waiting for feedback on candidates. And we’ve also been the internal TA partner, fielding 16 new reqs, navigating a hiring freeze and trying to tactfully explain that no, we can’t write a job spec in Comic Sans.
So here it is, an honest, myth-busting look at how external recruiters and internal Talent Acquisition (TA) teams can and should work together, because when we do, the client wins, the candidate wins and yes — so do we!!
Let’s Get Real About Talent Acquisition Teams
There’s a persistent myth out there that TA teams and agency recruiters are at odds. That internal teams are “gatekeepers” or somehow trying to block great candidates from being seen. That’s not always true, or at least, not the full picture.
Here’s what we’ve learned:
- TA professionals are often juggling dozens of roles, each with unique requirements, time pressures and internal politics. Think “firefighting meets whack-a-mole.”
- They spend time rewriting job descriptions, aligning with stakeholders, handling budget approvals and navigating recruitment freezes — often with candidates already in process and having been offered!
- They’re the ones getting grief from all sides, trying to keep hiring managers happy while balancing candidate expectations, process fairness and internal red tape protocols.
In short, TA is tough. And the best ones? They know the value of a trusted external partner.
The Good Ones Get It
Strong TA teams don’t just tolerate external recruiters — they build real partnerships with them. A good friend of mine, who I got into recruitment 20 years ago and is thriving internally is a huge advocate of external recruitment partnerships.
- She knows she can trust your insight on the market.
- She values your ability to source niche skills quickly.
- She leans on you when things get busy (which, let’s face it, is most of the time).
- She knows you’ll bring them quality over quantity and she welcomes your honesty when something’s not right.
Because at the end of the day, the goal is the same: to hire brilliant people, efficiently and with care.
But Let’s Talk About That PSL…
Now, let’s not pretend it’s always sunshine, rainbows and shared success stories. Sometimes, you’re up against a Preferred Supplier List (PSL) that’s locked tighter than Fort Knox. Or you’re met with radio silence from someone who’s clearly been burned by agency relationships before.
So what do you do?
You might be tempted to go directly to the hiring manager. And honestly — it’s not ideal. But it can work but possibly only in the short term. Because the hiring manager is frustrated. They’re under pressure. They’ve had great CVs sitting unread for weeks because their own internal process has stalled. You have what they need, and in the moment, they just want the right person.
We’re not saying skip the proper channels because I don’t think that is correct but what I am saying is, if a recruiter feels they have nothing to lose because the team is stone walling them and not responding then that the recruiter feels they have nothing to lose by going rogue and trying to get their fantastic and exclusive candidate in front of the hiring manager.
But then the recruiter has potentially succeeded in screwing up an entire process that was in full swing, possibly nearly concluded or was in hand.
Hiring isn’t black and white and rigid processes can strangle good outcomes. It needs a respectful and empathetic approach.
Here’s Where We Come In
We know when to step in — and how. Not to disrupt, but to support.
- We bolster TA teams when they’re swamped.
- We bring candidates that haven’t been recycled 10 times.
- We understand the balance of urgency, compliance and quality.
- We don’t see ourselves as “just another agency.” We’re an extension of your team and we act like it.
Our approach is rooted in partnership, respect and experience. We’re not just pitching CVs — we’re building long-term solutions, solving problems and hopefully making everyone look good in the process.
A Wee Final Thought
At the end of the day, recruitment isn’t just about filling roles. It’s about people, trust and shared goals. When the client, candidate and recruiter are all aligned, that’s when the magic happens.
So to all the TA teams, hiring managers and decision-makers out there — if you’re ready to work with a recruitment partner who genuinely gets it, give us a shout, we do!
We’ll support your growth, protect your brand and treat your hiring needs like they’re our own.
We’re small — but mighty. And we bring all the experience, empathy and energy your business needs.