Seven Ways to Market Yourself to Clients and Candidates

Our industry is booming. Turnover for 2014/15 was £31.5 billion, a 9.7% increase on the previous year. Over 100,000 people work in recruitment, a 7.1% increase on the previous year*.

It’s great to be a part of for sure – but how can you make sure you stand out? How do you ensure you earn the confidence of your candidates and clients as a trusted partner and advisor?

Marketing yourself is a key way to attract new business, and earn the confidence of clients and candidates.

Your IRP membership helps you do this. It’s more than a membership - it gives you the tools for success.

Here are seven ways you can use it to market yourself:

1. Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct Signing up for IRP membership means you’re agreeing to uphold best practice in the industry. This is a key differentiator you can use with clients and candidates. Both want to be sure they are working with a professional who is committed to providing an excellent service. Make them aware that you’re signed up to it.

2. Your IRP designatory letters Don’t forget to use your IRP letters after your name to demonstrate your professional status. Whether you are an Affiliate (AIRP), Member (MIRP) or Fellow (FIRP), make sure people know. The same goes if you hold any of our qualifications – you can use CertRR, CertRP or DipRM after your name too to strengthen your professional status. Add them to your email signature, your social media channels and business cards.

3. IRP Legal bulletin This is your primary resource for the latest in recruitment law. It’s produced by the REC’s expert legal team, meaning you’re always in the loop. If you’re having a conversation with a current or potential client, why not bring up one of the topical legal issues covered? Proving you know the latest legal developments puts you out ahead of the competition.

4. Legal Guide Working hand-in-hand with the IRP Legal bulletin, the Legal Guide offers information on over 50 topics of employment and commercial law. It fills you in on everything involved in introducing candidates for permanent engagement by clients, supplying temporary workers, limited company contractors and managing employees. Make sure you read through the Guide and tell clients and candidates you know the recruitment law relevant to them.

5. Webinars Talking Recruitment is our regular series of webinars. Tuning in means hearing REC chief executive Kevin Green talk through the latest developments and challenges facing the market. You can use this in client meetings and with candidates. Show them you know what you’re talking about and what’s going on in the industry.

6. REC research reports IRP members have free access to some of the REC’s industry research, and a 50% discount on other research available. Take copies to your client meetings, pick out the essential information and tell them about it. It’s all about proving you know what you’re talking about, so that candidates and clients will invest in you as a committed professional.

7. IRP Awards IRP members receive complimentary entry into the prestigious IRP Awards, so why not use it? Being shortlisted for, or winning an industry award is an invaluable way to stand out to both clients and candidates. We’ve just opened entries for this year’s awards – download our entry pack now to start planning.

It’s about engaging your clients and candidates in a way that proves you’re the best.

Everything you receive with your IRP membership lets you show you understand the wider market, where your clients and candidates sit within it and how you can work with them to overcome any challenges.

If you promote the above points, you’re on the way to marketing yourself as the professional recruiter you are.

Not an IRP member? Find out more about joining us now.

*Recruitment Industry Trends Survey 2014/15