Across the agriculture, horticulture and fresh produce sectors there is a growing frustration from candidates that deserves to be addressed.
Increasingly, experienced professionals are being approached multiple times by different recruitment agencies about exactly the same role. Sometimes on the same day. Occasionally within the same hour.
From a candidate’s perspective, it doesn’t look good.
The typical reaction is:
- “Why are three recruiters calling me about the same job?”
- “Does the company actually know what it’s doing?”
- “They’re obviously struggling to fill the role!”
- “If they can’t organise their recruitment properly, what else is disorganised?”
These sectors are small, relationship-driven and reputations travel quickly. When a business appears to be farming a role out to multiple recruitment firms, it can give the impression of uncertainty and a lack of confidence in the role itself.
That is rarely the first impression an employer wants to create.
A Recent Example
Recently we were asked by a large business to join a Teams call with several competing recruitment agencies to discuss a difficult-to-fill role.
Multiple recruiters. One call. All effectively competing with each other.
It raises a fairly obvious question.
Why would any serious recruitment consultancy want to operate in that environment?
In this particular case the situation raised even more questions. The business in question has very high staff turnover and is not widely seen as a destination employer of choice for senior candidates.
Under those circumstances, asking several recruiters to compete on the same role does not improve the process. It simply creates a race to submit CVs first.
That is not professional recruitment.
The Problem with the Scattergun Approach
When multiple agencies are instructed on the same role, the result is usually:
- Candidates being contacted repeatedly about the same position
- Confusion and frustration in the market
- Recruiters investing less time in properly understanding the role
- Damage to the employer’s reputation
Senior candidates in particular tend to disengage quickly when they sense that a role is being circulated widely across multiple recruiters.
They expect the process to be professional, considered and well managed.
The Better Approach
The businesses that consistently secure the best people tend to do things differently.
They choose one recruitment partner they trust.
They build a long-term relationship with that recruiter.
They collaborate properly, share insight about the business and the role, and work together to identify the right candidate.
In that environment the recruiter becomes an extension of the business, not just someone sending CVs.
The outcome is better conversations with candidates, stronger shortlists and ultimately better hires.
Be Different
Agriculture, horticulture and fresh produce are sectors built on trust, relationships and reputation.
Recruitment should work the same way.
Rather than spreading a role across multiple agencies, hoping one might deliver, the smarter approach is simple:
Work out which recruiter you trust.
Build the relationship.
Collaborate properly.
Create success together.
In a sector where reputation matters, the businesses that stand out are the ones that choose to do things properly – and differently.
Contact us:
📞 +44 (0)1284 715055
📧 info@redfoxexecutive.com
