Recruitment is just the job

Recruitment is just the job

By: Linda Whitney

WITH more than 8,000 recruitment agencies fighting for a slice of the pie, franchise could be the best way in.

'Recruitment is a people business,' says David Robinson of recruitment franchise Bluemonday, which is looking for more franchisees with £10,000-plus to invest.

'Do you have what it takes to handle delicate negotiations between client and candidates? Could you take the time to listen to both and get the best outcome?' Usually, you do not need recruitment experience, but sales experience helps as you will be expected to meet targets. When choosing a franchise, your previous career can be a starting point.

'Professional experience in a sector gives you credibility and contacts, so it makes sense to recruit into that sector,' says Liz Kilford of Antal International.

'Our franchisees include a former finance director who recruits into accountancy and finance jobs, and a former senior retail operations director who has worked in Asia and will shortly be placing retail professionals from an Antal office in the Philippines.' Antal specialises in mid to senior level candidates. Setup costs are £50,000.

The Select Group offers Select Appointments (office vacancies); Parkhouse, (warehousing, driving and technical); and Select Hospitality (from front-of-house staff to chefs). Investment in all cases is from £31,750.

'You do not have to sell into your former profession,' says Select's Sara Gant, 'and the diversity helps, because if recruitment in one sector dips, there are others that are likely to be more buoyant.' Providing temporary workers as well as candidates for permanent jobs can cut your business risks. Currently, permanent placings are falling but temp placings are rising, according to the Recruitment And Employment Confederation, the recruiters' trade body.

Ask what the franchisor provides. Payroll services for temps and factoring — a service that means you receive temping fees before the client company pays them — are valuable, as is centralised information about new employment legislation and legal requirements.

Amanda Coxen, of Tinies childcare recruitment franchise, which provides nannies and maternity nurses to parents, and staff to nurseries, says: 'Our backup for franchisees includes a legal department and a system for carrying out Criminal Records Bureau checks.' Tinies franchises start from £17,000.

Check that the culture of the company suits you. Sit in with a franchisee for a few days to get a flavour of the company and see recruitment in action.

Bluemonday 020 7025 8747, Antal 0870 774 5464, Select 01582 811 654, Tinies 020 7384 0322..

'RECRUITMENT is a competitive business and a new entrant has to deliver great service to win clients. A franchise can help,' says Sukhvinder Hothi, above, Select Appointments franchisee in Oxford.

Sukhvinder, 36, opened his office three years ago after a career in finance. 'I liked the idea of helping people find new jobs, as you can change people's lives for the better,' he says.

He uses his experience to place senior finance staff such as accountants, but also recruits other white-collar staff in the £15,000-£30,000 bracket.

'If you have not worked in recruitment before, a franchise means you do not have to build up the brand yourself,' he says. 'We get support such as daily updates on employment legislation, and, when tendering for new business, a central team to tailor generic tender documents to the client.' But he adds: 'Building relationships with clients can take a while, and you must be willing to spend lots of time getting to know them, both on the phone and face to face.'

Head Down Under for a new start

FRANCHISORS keen to expand overseas are looking for people to move abroad.

Ovenu, the oven-cleaning service franchise, is looking for people keen to emigrate to Australia and set up in business there.

Rik Hellewell, of Ovenu, says: 'Business prospects are good, but it is a huge step, so go over and talk to other expats who have businesses there.' Ovenu has six franchisees in Australia, including some British expats, and a master franchisee to help you get started.

Set-up cost is equivalent to the UK Ovenu set-up cost of £15,000.

If you want to set up in Spain, Murcia Villas is seeking franchisees to offer a villa sales and rental service.

You get two weeks in the Murcia Villas office learning how to deal with holidaymaker arrivals, property checks, property viewings, long-term rentals, and property maintenance reports.

There is also help with finding accommodation and schools and getting your first clients.

It's not all golf and sunshine, though. Hugh James, of Murcia Villas, says: 'You must be able to organise your time as you could be working seven days a week, due to arrivals, but ensure that you take time to enjoy the area.' The franchise costs £16,000.

Ovenu 01325 251 455, Murcia Villas 0844 837 5175.