RPO – Recruitment Process Outsourcing or Optimization?

When you hear the term Recruitment Process Outsourcing (RPO), do you think of handing over your entire hiring process to an outside vendor?

RPO hiring often carries the misconception that it means relinquishing control of your hiring process to an external entity. However, this couldn’t be further from the truth.

In reality, RPO is about optimization, collaboration, and enhancement of your existing recruitment efforts. It’s an integrated solution designed to support and amplify your Talent Acquisition (TA) team’s capabilities, not replace them.

In fact, 67 percent of companies utilizing recruitment process outsourcing saw revenue increases last year, compared to 33 percent of companies that did not utilize RPO, according to information collected by RPOA.

Talent leaders also cited the top benefits of working with an RPO provider:

Faster hiring (60 percent)
More consistent hiring (45 percent)
Less expensive hiring (35 percent)
Higher quality hires (32 percent)

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are increasingly adopting RPO services, with an estimated growth rate of 17.1 percent, as they seek cost-effective and flexible recruitment models.

We’ll go through some of the most frequently asked questions about RPO, as well as the immediate benefits you can expect when you outsource your recruiting to a trusted partner.

Is It Really Outsourced?

One of the biggest myths surrounding RPO is that it involves handing over your entire recruitment process to a third party. In actuality, RPO companies act as an extension of your team. They work within your existing systems and frameworks, ensuring that you maintain complete ownership of candidate information and decision-making processes. The RPO provider is embedded into your organization, aligning with your goals and culture to deliver tailored recruitment solutions.

Do I Lose Control of My Hiring?

When you partner with an RPO provider, you don’t lose control. Instead, you gain a strategic ally that helps you streamline and optimize your recruitment process. All contact information for candidates remains with you, and the RPO recruitment team integrates seamlessly into your systems. This approach ensures continuity and transparency, giving you the confidence that your recruitment process is being handled with the same care and precision as if it were done in-house.

Will RPO Replace My Talent Acquisition Team?

RPO is not about replacing your TA team but about providing them with the additional resources and expertise they need to succeed. Whether you’re facing a surge in hiring demands or struggling with hard-to-fill positions, an RPO provider can step in to offer specialized support. This allows your TA team to focus on strategic initiatives and core business activities, knowing that the recruitment process is in capable hands.

Related Infographic: Three Types of Recruitment Process Outsourcing (RPO)

The Benefits of RPO

1. Scalability

One of the most significant advantages of RPO is its flexibility. Whether you need short-term support to handle a spike in hiring or long-term assistance to improve overall recruitment efficiency, RPO can scale to meet your needs.

2. Access to Expertise

RPO providers bring a wealth of recruitment knowledge and industry expertise. They stay up-to-date with the latest trends, technologies, and best practices, ensuring that your recruitment process is optimized for success.

3. Cost Efficiency

By streamlining your recruitment process and reducing time-to-fill, RPO can lead to significant cost savings. You’ll also benefit from the reduced overhead associated with maintaining a large in-house recruitment team.

In fact, RPO programs can reduce cost-per-hire by more than 20% while cutting time-to-hire by up to 55%.

4. Enhanced Candidate Experience

RPO providers focus on creating a positive candidate experience, from initial contact through to onboarding. This ensures that candidates have a favorable impression of your organization, increasing the likelihood of attracting top talent.

5. Data-Driven Decisions

With RPO, you gain access to advanced analytics and reporting tools that provide insights into your recruitment process. This data-driven approach allows you to make informed decisions and continually improve your hiring strategies.

Helping Your TA Team Succeed

If your TA team is struggling to keep up with job orders or facing challenges in attracting the right talent, RPO can provide the support you need. By partnering with an RPO provider, you can ensure that your recruitment process is efficient, effective, and aligned with your business objectives.

In conclusion, RPO is not just about outsourcing; it’s about optimizing your recruitment process. It’s about having a dedicated partner who understands your needs and works collaboratively with your team to achieve your hiring goals. Embrace the benefits of RPO and see how it can transform your talent acquisition strategy, allowing your team to focus on what they do best—driving your business forward.

As your dedicated recruitment partners, Broadleaf will work with your team to deploy custom RPO solutions. Unlike other recruitment companies, Broadleaf’s RPO keeps you in control. Outsource as many recruitment functions as you see fit with solutions that are built to scale. Learn more here.

This blog was authored by Derrick Ryskamp.