Think HR Can Do It All? Spoiler Alert: Not Quite! Let's Bust Some Myths!
"Why on Earth Would We Hire a Recruiter? HR Can Handle It, Right?" If we had a dollar for every time we heard that, we’d probably be sailing around the Bahamas by now. It’s like asking, “Why call a mechanic when you have a car manual?” Sure, your HR team is great at what they do—but finding a high-level, strategic leader is a whole different ballgame. Spoiler alert: recruiters are pros at this game.
Let’s bust some myths about hiring for critical roles and see why an executive search firm might just be your secret weapon.
Myth #1: “Our HR Team Can Handle Everything!”
REALITY CHECK: Your HR department is juggling benefits, compliance, payroll, and employee relations—and they’ve got an inbox full of job applications that look like they came from a random name generator. Finding the right executive hire needs laser focus and a "particular set of skills" (yes, like Liam Neeson in Taken).
Hiring at the executive level requires specialized attention. According to a Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) study, "51% of workers feel used up at the end of the workday, 45% feel emotionally drained, and 44% feel burned out". With your internal HR team already stretched thin, this is where recruiters like ours step in—they have the laser focus you need for leadership roles.
Myth #2: “Recruiters Just Post Jobs and Wait for Applications”
REALITY CHECK: If that’s what you think recruiters do, you’re in for a surprise. Recruiters aren’t waiting by the phone like your awkward middle school self. They’re out there actively hunting down passive candidates because they are the rockstars who aren’t spending their days scrolling through job boards.
Exceptional recruiters (like ours) have built extensive networks across industries, giving them access to top talent you wouldn’t find on standard job boards. They employ proactive sourcing strategies, leveraging their relationships and expertise to attract high-quality candidates that fit your unique needs. While your HR team manages the rest of the company, we handle the heavy lifting in talent acquisition.
Myth #3: “We Can Save Money by Doing It Ourselves”
REALITY CHECK: That’s like saying you can save money by doing your own taxes. Sure, you could do it, but you'll wish you had invested in the pros when you get hit with a surprise audit (or a bad hire). The cost of a bad hire can reach up to 30% of their first-year salary, not to mention the morale-crushing turnover and chaos that follows.
What you save upfront could cost you dearly in the long run, both in money and reputation. Plus, having a skilled recruiter with industry connections can cut hiring time by up to 50%! At TurningPoint, our recruiters use advanced tools and targeted outreach to expedite the hiring process without sacrificing quality, ultimately saving you time and money!
Myth #4: “We Already Know All the Best Candidates”
REALITY CHECK: Do you really? Because the best candidates aren’t browsing Indeed with their morning coffee. They’re already employed, happy (or happy enough), and probably not even looking—unless a recruiter whispers in their ear about an amazing opportunity. That’s where recruiters shine—they have the relationships to bring you talent you’d never know existed.
In fact, 37% of the US workforce consists of passive candidates who aren’t actively looking for jobs but are open to new opportunities, but they aren’t going to come knocking on your door unless... you’ve got a recruiter with the right connections. Ascentria’s recruiters have spent years cultivating these connections, allowing us to tap into a vast network of potential candidates who are not actively on the market but are the perfect fit for your needs.
Myth #5: “The Recruiter's Job Ends Once We Hire”
REALITY CHECK: Nope, that’s just the beginning. A good recruiter doesn’t disappear like a bad Tinder date. They’ll stick around to make sure onboarding goes smoothly, offer advice on culture fit, and help align the new hire with your business strategy. Think of them as your long-term hiring partner, not a one-and-done deal. At TurningPoint, our commitment to your success doesn’t end when the hire is made. We continue to partner with you, providing ongoing support and strategic insights to help integrate your new leader into the organization and align them with your long-term goals. We are your strategic partners, helping you reduce turnover rates by aligning the onboarding and development processes.
At the end of the day, you have two choices: play HR roulette and hope you land a great hire, or call in the experts and stack the odds in your favor. Your HR team is fantastic, but finding top executive talent requires a recruiter with the right tools, network, and expertise. With TurningPoint Executive Search by your side, you can rest assured that you’re not just filling a position; you’re securing a leader who will drive your organization forward.
Want to hire the right person the first time around? You know what to do.