The demand for digital products and services is soaring. 

As businesses strive to stay competitive, they need to build strong digital product teams that can deliver exceptional results. 

However, finding the right talent in digital product can be challenging and candidates are expecting more than ever. 

“69% of candidates with a negative candidate experience would rarely, or never, reapply again - and would share their negative experience with their friends and network.” 

pageuppeople

This is where a talent acquisition agency, like IRIS, who specialise in hiring for digital product teams can prove to be invaluable. 

But how can you get the best from working with an agency in the digital product sector? 

Define needs

Before engaging with a talent acquisition agency, it's crucial to have a clear understanding of your organisation's needs and expectations and the roles required in your team. 

Clearly defining the digital product job roles, skills required, and the cultural fit will help the talent acquisition agency find the right candidates that align with your goals. 

With 73% of employers saying improving their candidate experience is their number 1 priority according to Page Up People,  once you’ve defined your needs, a talent acquisition team can support you to make the candidate experience a positive one. 

Be choosey 

The digital product landscape is vast and ever-growing, making it essential to partner with an agency that specialises in this area.

Specialised teams like us at IRIS will have a real understanding of the digital product industry, the required skill sets, and the latest trends. This expertise enables us to identify top talent and match them with the right roles. 

As recruiter.com puts it in their reasons to work with a specialist talent acquisition team, “Unlike standard recruitment firms, niche recruiters have several years of combined industry experience. When you rely on a specialist recruiting firm to fill a role, the odds are they have filled the same or similar position before.”

Building an active partnership with an agency of your choosing, that you know understands everything you are looking for, fosters trust and ensures that both parties are working towards the same goal.

Clear comms 

It should go without saying, but effective communication is the key to a successful partnership with an agency when you’re looking to build your digital product team. 

Pioneering people explain that “The more open and frequent the communications, the more you can collaborate together and understand each other.”

At the beginning of a relationship with your talent acquisition agency, this could be clearly communicating your expectations, desired timeline, and any specific preferences for candidates. 

But during and after the process of hiring, this could be things like being proactive in reaching out to touch base, getting updates to prevent bottlenecks and providing feedback on candidates, interviews, and the hiring process. 

Be open to discussing your needs and adjusting the search criteria if required. Regularly communicate updates on the progress of the hiring process and provide specific insights to help the agency refine their search. 

Plus by keeping in regular contact with your agency and being open to ad-hoc candidates, you will ultimately gain an advantage in the current skills shortage.

Take advantage

It is probably obvious that talent acquisition agencies like IRIS have extensive networks and databases filled with qualified digital product candidates.

But the great thing about that is that it means we have access to candidates who may not be actively seeking new opportunities.

By partnering with us you gain access to our vast digital product network, increasing the likelihood of finding top talent that might not be visible through the traditional hiring channels. 

Good timing

Ensuring that your agent stays updated on timeframes for specific stages, such as application feedback, interview selection/bookings, or potential offers, is crucial for maintaining the interest of prospective candidates. 

In today's competitive digital product market, talented individuals often have multiple interviews lined up and may be weighing multiple job offers. 

If you delay in providing feedback or take several days to extend an offer, you risk losing them to other opportunities. 

Many candidates have expressed their admiration for receiving prompt offers, as it demonstrates a high level of interest and desire for them to join your organisation. This can be a deciding factor for candidates who are torn between your role and competitors.

Be transparent 

As Rajat Maini explains, there are so many good reasons to be transparent with your agency.

“Transparency is critical during the recruitment process as it helps to create a positive experience for candidates, build trust and credibility, attract top talent, reduce risk , and improve employer branding.”

When looking to hire through an agency, be open about the salary range, benefits, and any other relevant information candidates need to make an informed decision.

It's also important to inform your agency about any changes or updates in your hiring requirements promptly. Honesty and transparency lay the foundation for a successful collaboration not just between you and the agency, but between you and your new digital product hire too. 

Find your next top talent 

Partnering with a talent acquisition can significantly enhance your chances of finding top talent that aligns with your organisation's needs. 

With a dedicated talent acquisition agency like IRIS by your side, you can assemble a highly skilled and effective digital product team that propels your organisation towards success in the digital landscape.

If you’re ready to build, scale up or skill up your digital product team, get in touch with us at IRIS today!