The world of finance is undergoing something of a talent shortage. As a result, UK-based businesses can often find themselves struggling to identify a professional with the right financial skill set. This is a problem that can be mitigated, in part, by the involvement of the right recruitment specialist.
Understanding the UK Finance Talent Shortage
The demand for accountants and other financial professionals is as strong as it ever has been. But the supply of professionals with the right skills has begun to dry up, with the result that positions can often remain unfilled for weeks, or more. Applicants might have the technical knowledge, but they lack the real-world experience and soft skills that allow a financial professional to contribute from the start.
How Specialist Recruiters Bridge the Gap
It might be that the right candidate for any given role is out there, somewhere. But tracking that person down can present a considerable challenge. Even the best recruiters, if they don’t specialise in finance, might not be able to distinguish between a high-value candidate and a mediocre one.
A specialist financial recruiter will be able to call upon sophisticated networks and databases, and to headhunt talented financial professionals whose skills and disposition fit the vacancy, and the culture of the company. These people, ideally, will be of a kind that will serve the company for many years to come, thanks to a combination of personality traits, technical skills, and other attributes.
In some cases, a finance professional might be hired on an interim basis. This will allow more time to find someone who can fill the role permanently. Interim hires tend to command higher wages, but they can fulfil a short-term need and help the company minimise disruption. A good recruiter may be able to identify exactly the right kind of interim support.
Long-Term Benefits of Using Finance Recruitment Experts
The involvement of a specialist recruiter will allow any given position to be filled more quickly, and with a lower risk of a substandard candidate being inducted into the company. This ultimately can lead to lower rates of staff turnover, improved morale, and other benefits. A good hire, in this instance, won’t just fill the role; they’ll improve the company for years to come, providing mentorship and guidance for colleagues, and steering the company in the right direction.
In other words, while a recruiter of this kind might be slightly more expensive than some of the alternatives, companies might see a respectable return on that investment, especially if the same approach is taken across the entire company.
The disruption and stress that comes with a skill shortage can be difficult to cope with. It can lead to negative consequences for the entire business, some of which are difficult to quantify and pinpoint. A good recruiter can address these problems!