Recruiting is often a relentless process, involving countless hours scouring LinkedIn profiles and navigating extensive candidate lists in the hopes of finding the perfect match for job openings. As recruiters, there are times when you discover a promising candidate or a lucrative new job position but simply cannot close the gap between the two. This is where a split recruitment network comes into play—a system that enables collaboration among recruiters to share job orders, candidates, and, ultimately, success.
In this article from Top Echelon Recruiting Software, we will explore the concept of split recruitment networks, how they work, and why they can be a game-changer for recruiters. With a split network, recruiters can widen their reach, make more placements, and foster relationships within the recruiting community. Let’s dive in.
What Is a Split Recruitment Network?11
A split recruitment network is an online, crowdsourced community of recruiters who collaborate to make placements. These networks consist of two main players: one recruiter has a candidate who is actively seeking a job (the Exporter), and another recruiter has a job order that needs to be filled (the Importer). These two parties come together, pool their resources, and agree to split the placement fee once the candidate is successfully hired.
In this win-win scenario, both recruiters benefit from tapping into each other’s strengths and resources. The beauty of split network recruitment is that it allows recruiters to fill jobs more efficiently by bridging gaps in expertise, geography, or industry specialization.
The Rise of Split Network Recruitment: A Post-Pandemic Opportunity
Before the COVID-19 pandemic, only about 20% of the workforce worked remotely, according to a 2020 report from the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas. When the pandemic hit, the sudden shift to remote work, furloughs, and layoffs transformed the job market. The recruiting world saw significant disruptions, but it also opened doors for innovative solutions like split recruitment networks. As the job market begins to recover, split networks have become even more relevant, offering a way to navigate a changed landscape where flexibility and collaboration are key.
By allowing recruiters to pool their resources and expertise, split networks offer a way to expand opportunities, even when the market is unpredictable. Let’s take a closer look at the benefits these networks provide.
The Benefits of Joining a Split Recruitment Network
1. Increased Income Opportunities
Let’s face it: every recruiter prefers to make a full placement and earn the entire commission. But the reality is that it’s not always possible. Lack of expertise, geographic limitations, or simply not having the right candidate or job order at the right time can mean missed opportunities. Instead of waiting for that perfect placement to land in your lap, split networks allow you to participate in partial placements, which is better than no placement at all.
Split network recruitment also helps smooth out income inconsistencies during economic slowdowns or when job orders are scarce. In a down economy, recruiters may find themselves with fewer opportunities, either in terms of job orders or candidates. Split fees allow recruiters to continue earning by leveraging other recruiters’ resources.
Example: A recruiter specializing in tech may not have a direct line on healthcare candidates but finds themselves with a healthcare job order. A split recruitment network can bridge that gap, allowing them to connect with a healthcare-focused recruiter, make a successful placement, and share the commission.
2. A More Balanced Workflow
Recruiting can be unpredictable—sometimes, you have too many job orders and not enough candidates, while other times, the opposite is true. Split networks help even out the imbalance. If you have an influx of job orders and not enough candidates, partnering with a recruiter who has a talent pool but no job orders can keep your work flowing smoothly.
This dynamic allows recruiters to manage their workload more effectively, ensuring they always have opportunities on the horizon. It also prevents burnout that can come from overworking with too many job orders or too few candidates.
Example: A recruiter based in New York might be overloaded with job orders in the hospitality industry but has no suitable candidates in that sector. By partnering with a recruiter who specializes in hospitality, they can quickly fill those positions without spending weeks hunting for qualified candidates.
3. Expanded Reach and Expertise
Hiring managers ultimately want results—they don’t mind where the candidates come from, as long as they are a good fit. By joining a split recruitment network, you can tap into the expertise of other recruiters to find candidates in sectors or regions outside your specialty. For instance, if you need to fill a position in a geographic location where you have no presence, a split partner can help you bridge that gap and land the placement.
Split networks also allow you to access candidates from industries you may not be familiar with. A recruiter specializing in marketing roles may not have deep expertise in IT, but through a split network, they can collaborate with an IT recruiter to place candidates in tech roles they wouldn’t have been able to fill alone.
Example: A recruiter who specializes in sales positions in the Midwest might find it difficult to source candidates for a tech role in California. By working with a recruiter in Silicon Valley, they can successfully fill the role and split the commission.
4. Collaboration Over Competition
In many industries, competition is fierce—recruiting is no exception. However, split networks foster a sense of collaboration rather than rivalry. Instead of competing with other recruiters for the same placements, you can work together for mutual benefit.
By leveraging the resources and expertise of other recruiters, you turn potential competitors into collaborators. This collaborative model creates a support system that allows recruiters to learn from one another, share industry insights, and ultimately make better placements. In the long run, this can also foster strong professional relationships that lead to more opportunities.
Example: Two recruiters who specialize in different industries—say one in finance and the other in healthcare—might think they have nothing to offer one another. However, through a split network, they realize they can share job orders and candidates to better serve their clients in both fields.
5. Improved Candidate and Job Order Matching
When you join a split recruitment network, you expand your ability to match the right candidates to the right jobs. Since you’re not working in isolation, you can access job orders and candidates that you might not have found on your own. This can improve the quality of your placements, as you have access to a larger pool of candidates and job openings that match specific skills and experience.
For hiring managers, this means they get better-quality candidates faster, which increases their satisfaction and keeps them coming back to your agency or network. The quicker a recruiter can match a candidate to a job order, the more satisfied the hiring manager will be.
How Split Network Recruitment Works
Understanding how a split recruitment network operates is key to maximizing its benefits. The process is straightforward, and here’s a step-by-step guide to how it works:
- Joining the Network: First, you’ll need to join a split recruitment network. Many networks are available, both independent and those attached to larger platforms or recruiting software. For instance, Top Echelon is a popular network among recruiters looking for split-fee placements.
- Submitting Job Orders or Candidates: Once you’re part of the network, you can submit job orders or candidate profiles. If you have a job order but lack the candidates, you submit the opening to the network, allowing other recruiters to match their candidates. Conversely, if you have a great candidate but no job openings, you can share their profile in the hopes that another recruiter has a fitting position.
- Connecting with a Partner: After submitting, recruiters from the network will connect with one another when there’s a match. The two recruiters—the Importer and Exporter—work together to make the placement happen, sharing relevant details and conducting interviews if necessary.
- Agreeing on Terms: Before proceeding, both recruiters agree on how the placement fee will be split. This typically involves a 50-50 split, but terms can vary depending on the network or specific situation.
- Making the Placement: Once the candidate is placed and hired, the two recruiters share the placement fee as agreed. Everyone benefits: the recruiter with the job order fills the position, the recruiter with the candidate places them successfully, and the hiring manager gets a qualified employee.
Best Practices for Success in Split Network Recruitment
To make the most of your split recruitment efforts, keep these best practices in mind:
- Communication Is Key: Clear, transparent communication is essential when working with another recruiter. Set expectations early, agree on terms, and stay in constant contact throughout the placement process.
- Maintain a Collaborative Mindset: View other recruiters as partners, not competitors. A collaborative mindset will help you build stronger relationships and lead to more successful placements.
- Be Selective with Candidates: Don’t just throw any candidate into the mix—ensure they are a good fit for the job order. This increases your chances of a successful placement and solidifies your reputation in the network.
- Use Technology: Many recruitment software platforms, such as CATS or Top Echelon, offer features that make managing split placements easier. Use these tools to track candidates, job orders, and communication between recruiters.
- Follow Up: After a placement, follow up with your partner recruiter and the hiring manager. Building long-term relationships within the network can lead to more opportunities down the line.
Why Split Recruitment Networks Are a Game-Changer
Split recruitment networks offer an invaluable solution for recruiters who want to expand their reach, balance their workflow, and increase their placement opportunities. Whether you’re facing an economic slowdown, a tough job market, or simply need to tap into new talent pools, split networks allow you to collaborate with other recruiters and fill gaps in your recruiting process.
By working together instead of competing, recruiters in split networks can achieve better results for themselves, their candidates, and the companies they serve. If you’re not already part of a split recruitment network, now is the time to explore this strategy and take your recruiting efforts to the next level.
As a CATS customer, you have access to Top Echelon’s split-fee network with no starting fee—sign up today to start maximizing your recruiting potential!