Companies hire in multiple ways.
There’s the third-party approach, where recruitment firms who specialise in HR services are enlisted to interview and shortlist potential candidates.
Or sometimes, companies may simply decide to adopt a direct hire approach.
What is direct hire?
A company directly hiring candidates uses its own resources.
In such instances, the company:
- Recognises a vacancy,
- Develops a job description for the position,
- Advertises the job position,
- Recruits suitable candidates,
- Performs interviews, and
- Makes a hiring decision.
How recruiting works in direct hiring?
When a company directly hires, its Human Resources Department usually leads the recruitment by:
Identifying a need for talent
If a staff member is leaving or retiring from the organisation, this signals to the HR department there is an open vacancy. If the vacancy is advertised internally and no suitable candidates are found, the company will recruit externally.
Advertise the job position
Companies advertise job vacancies externally on job boards, press ads, social media and their website. Candidates who meet most or all the outlined requires are usually contacted for an interview by an HR officer.
The interview process
At this stage of the direct hiring process, companies interview qualified applicants to recruit the most suitable candidate.
In many instances, candidates within the first round of interviews meet with an HR Officer who evaluates their suitability, in terms of skills, education and work experience.
If the candidate progresses to the next round, a panel interview approach may be adopted. The panel may consist of an HR Officer, HR Manager, a Department Manager or Executive.
The direct hiring interview process can be extensive. Ultimately, it depends on the position, the type of personality or talent required. To recruit the right talent, behavioural assessments, IQ tests, psychometric or aptitude tests often accompany direct hire interviews and help make final decisions.
Open communication
Direct hires involve direct lines of communication between employers and possible hires. If further information is required by the employer, the candidate is doing a follow up, recommendation letters are requested or a successful candidate is being offered the position, the HR department usually maintains a direct line of communication with candidates.
Why companies direct hire?
Companies typically prefer direct hiring if the position:
Is managerial or executive
Persons being interviewed for a leadership role within the company would have to be carefully selected. For this reason, companies may choose direct hire to make this precarious decision themselves.
Needs to be expedited
If there is an urgency to fill a vacancy, companies may not have the time to go through a recruitment agency. As such, they may recruit, interview and hire the candidate themselves. This saves time by potentially finds the right candidate sooner.
Requires a specialised skill or certification.
The company may want a first-hand look at the talent, capabilities, character and work ethic of the persons applying for this role, to make a better-informed hiring decision
Involves exposure to confidential information
For jobs that involve working with important data, company’s financials or sensitive company information, companies may choose to direct hire and fill these roles. Such positions require individuals who display and can maintain a high level of integrity and trust
Is permanent
The company may directly hire their ideal candidate to become a permanent member of staff to grow or possibly transform the company.
Benefits of direct hire jobs
Given the reasons why companies perform direct hiring, there are numerous benefits to this approach:
Efficient communication
Experiencing and adjusting to a new company’s culture takes time. With direct hire recruiting, job candidates usually interview at the company’s premises by their own staff. As such, it is easier, to establish interaction and build a familiarity with candidates.
Establishes a solid first impression
As a candidate directly being hired, you can observe the surroundings, the people and the culture – the way people dress and interact. Direct hiring gives you a first-hand impression of the company while you’re going through the interview phase.
Lucrative opportunities
Companies typically reserve direct hires for their long-term, permanent or senior roles. Therefore, as a candidate, you are being considered for the best job opportunities that a company has available.
More efficient process
A company engaging in direct hiring practices tend to expedite their interviews and hiring decisions, as opposed to going through a recruitment agency.
Tips for direct hire interviews
- Research the company’s culture thoroughly. The last thing you need is a culture shock on the day of your interview.
- Be prepared for anything. If a company is interviewing for a permanent role, chances are they are going to be meticulous and in-depth with their interview questions. Apart from just education and experience, your competency, character, enthusiasm, energy and the “vibes” you give will be evaluated.
- Practice different types of questions. Managerial roles particularly require employers to shortlist the very best candidate. To be the best candidate, it is ideal to practice real-life, situational and even hypothetical questions ensure you’re ready for whatever a panel may throw at you.
- Show proof. Lots of candidates say they are hardworking, honest, friendly and helpful. To stand apart from the competition in a direct interview, you need real-life examples, stories, accomplishments and references to back up your claims. Words may get you the interview but proof gets you the job.
- Be their proactive problem-solver. The direct interview is not about you. It’s about what you can do for that company. In other words, what problems can you solve, using which skills to achieve what results? That is what the company needs to know.
- End professionally by showing gratitude and follow-up with a thank you note.
- Clean up your social media. Use a professional email address (just your name is ideal), have a clean appearance, firm handshake and proper posture. You are being directly evaluated on so much more than just your resume.
