Is Your Recruiting Team Missing Hidden Gems?

It’s a common scenario for many hiring managers: you're looking for a crucial new team member, but the candidates your internal recruiting team sends over just aren't cutting it. It’s frustrating, and it raises a critical question: is your team missing the perfect candidate—the hidden gem—before they even have a chance?

Internal recruiters are brilliant at what they do, but they’re often stretched thin, managing multiple roles and fighting for the same pool of active applicants. This can lead to a few blind spots where extraordinary talent can easily be overlooked.

Here are a few real-world examples of how we've helped hiring managers find the perfect fit who might have otherwise been missed.

The Salary Submission That Missed the Mark

We had a client who was searching for a critical leadership position. Their internal recruiter had rejected a candidate right off the bat because the salary they submitted on their application was slightly over budget. The internal team saw this as a hard "no" and moved on.

However, as an external agency, we were able to have a deeper, more candid conversation with this exact candidate. We learned that while they had submitted a high figure, they were actually very flexible and more interested in the leadership challenge and growth opportunities. We delivered detailed notes to the hiring manager, explaining the nuance of the conversation.

The result? The client spoke with the candidate, realised they were the perfect fit for the role, and ultimately extended an offer within their budget. A real gem would have been lost if we hadn't taken the time to dig deeper.

The Unpolished CV

Many internal teams operate with a checklist mentality, and a messy or unconventional CV can be an immediate dealbreaker. They see formatting errors or a career path that doesn't fit the traditional mould and quickly move on to the next one.

We recently presented a candidate who had a slightly fragmented CV due to a mix of freelance and contract work. An internal team might have dismissed it as a lack of consistency. However, we knew from our extensive conversation that this person was an exceptional engineer who had been working on cutting-edge, short-term projects that had given them a diverse skill set.

Our detailed insights helped the client see past the CV's presentation to the truly innovative experience and deep technical expertise underneath. They are now a top performer on the client’s team.

The Passive Candidate Who Isn't Looking

The biggest challenge for internal teams is that they are often limited to the pool of active job seekers—the people who are applying for jobs. What about the talent who isn't looking for a change?

We've built a strong reputation and network, allowing us to engage with these passive candidates. We approach them with a compelling, tailored message about an opportunity, not just a job post. We connect with them on a personal level, understand their career goals, and present the role as a strategic next step.

This means we can introduce you to people who are excelling in their current roles and aren't actively searching, but who might be open to a truly great new opportunity. This gives our clients a significant competitive advantage.

A Strategic Partnership, Not a Sourcing Service

While internal recruiters are essential, a strategic partnership with an external agency can be the key to unlocking a wider and more diverse talent pool. We see past the checklists and surface-level details to find the real person and the true potential.

By acting as an extension of your team, we find the hidden gems that are often missed, providing you with a deeper understanding of the market, a wider network of passive candidates, and the critical insights needed to make a truly great hire.

Ready to find the hidden gems your team might be missing? Let’s talk.