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Hiring the right talent is a crucial aspect of growing a 3D printing business. But with the industry growing so rapidly, finding the right candidates on your own can be challenging. That’s where a recruitment partner can step in to help.

However, choosing the right recruitment partner can make all the difference.

So, before you begin working with a recruiter, you must ask the right questions to determine if they are a good fit for your business. And, although their fee structure is important, it’s not the only factor to consider. In this blog, we’ll go through the key considerations you need to keep in mind when selecting a recruitment partner for your 3D printing firm.

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Handpick the Right Candidates

The first thing you should consider when choosing a recruitment partner is how they select their candidates. Will they be able to find candidates with the right skills and experience to meet your requirements? Do they have quality control measures in place to ensure that the candidates they recommend are a good fit for your business? Ask them how they select candidates and what tools they use to evaluate their skills and experience. For example, do they conduct live video interviews, which they then send to you for review?

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Ask for Live Roles

Another thing to consider is their current recruitment status. Ask them which live roles they are currently recruiting for and which jobs they have contributed. See their job adverts to have an idea of their recruitment strategy. This will give you a sense of their engagement with the 3D printing industry and whether they have an up-to-date understanding of industry trends and needs.

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Experience and Reputation

When choosing a recruitment partner, it’s important to consider their reputation and experience within the 3D printing industry. Look for a recruiter with a proven client and candidate satisfaction track record. Testimonials from previous clients and candidates can give you an idea of their success rate with job placements.

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Technical Knowledge

The 3D printing industry has developed massively over the past 10-15 years. Innovation has always been a core part of the industry, so staying updated with the latest developments is crucial. Recruiting in the 3D printing industry requires an understanding of all the various technologies, machines, materials, and processes involved. So it’s essential to work with a

recruiter with a solid technical knowledge of the industry. Ask them about the various methods and machines they are familiar with and how they assess a candidate’s technical expertise.

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Range of Services and Levels

The levels at which the recruiter works should also be taken into account. Do they specialise in professional, senior management, board, c-suite roles, or all of the above? A recruiter who operates at all levels is more flexible and capable of providing services according to your hiring needs. It’s also a good idea to ask about the stages of the recruiter’s selection process. A good recruiter should have a well-defined selection process that covers everything from initial screening to reference checks. This will ensure that they find the very best candidates for you.

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Ultimately, can they be a True Partner?

Many recruiters favour a “transactional” approach where they work on a job-by-job basis. But a true partner will align their services with your business and gain a detailed understanding of your plans and strategy. Understanding your future requirements means they can build a talent pool of potential future hires to drop in when the time is right.

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In Short

Recruitment is more than a one-off transaction, and choosing the right recruitment partner for your 3D printing business is critical to your growth and success. Taking the time to ask the right questions can help you find the best recruitment partner to meet your business’s specific recruitment needs.

But think about your future needs as well as your immediate ones. Building a long-term relationship with a recruitment partner who is invested in your business will bring all the success you need for the lifetime of your business.

Kensington Additive are established specialists recruiting for the additive manufacturing/3D printing industry in the US and EU regions.