Staffing owners what was the most difficult things you dealt with when you started your agency

What was your most difficult thing you dealt with and overcame when you started your recruiting agency...

Obtaining clients

Hiring staff

Managing your clients while recruiting talent

etc

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Permalink Reply by Julie Kearns on January 14, 2013 at 10:14am

All of the above...

When you start small, some clients don't take you that seriously in terms of how you do business. You either need to rectify their opinion by way of proving yourself or get rid of them if their perception doesn't change. You are no less professional and offer no less of a service than a larger entity - possibly a better service with a more personal touch. A business relationship should be mutually beneficial and if your clients do not respect your business as a start-up, they probably won't respect it as an established entity.

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Permalink Reply by Jerry Albright on January 14, 2013 at 10:31am

Making my first placement - then the next one - then the next......and so on.

The first thing anyone needs to do - DAY ONE - is find a client prepared to pay an invoice. You don't need to worry about business cards, web site strategy, your social media campaign or expanding your team.

1 client that will hire someone from you. Period.

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Permalink Reply by Tiffany Branch on January 14, 2013 at 12:20pm

I love small firms. Less b.s. and more attention to finding top talent.

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Permalink Reply by Barbara Goldman on January 14, 2013 at 12:20pm

I agree with both Julie and Jerry. Find a client. Someone who will respect you. It's hard in the beginning, and it's all about your attitude. Show them a high level of professionalism, and one placement follows another. Never give up. Even when you feel like it. Be successful yourself before you start to hire additional recruiters, or have very deep pockets while you are training a recruiting staff. Best of luck!

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Permalink Reply by George Pitts on January 14, 2013 at 1:55pm

WOW! This was some good advice everyone. This is why I love this forum. You get so many real scenarios it helps prepare you for them if and when they arise.

Julie I agree with you on that. If the client doesnt respect you and don't change their perception it can really bring you down. Many years ago I heard a guy say that sometimes it is better for your business if you have to fire a client

Jerry: That first placement is exactly what im preparing for.

Tiffany: This is why I started my own. Even some small firms have some BS

Barbara: That is definitley the plan. I need to get a proven system in place that I know works before I can bring others on. If I dont have a way of doing things it can go haywire really fast with everyone having their own processes