Save Big, Hire Smart: Why Magnet.me beats external recruiters for the perfect fit

Reading time: 6 minutes

Luc van Wanroij

Luc van Wanroij

Team Lead New Business

Finding the right candidate can often feel like looking for a needle in a haystack - especially when time is a luxury you simply don’t have. Whether you're a startup founder with a million things on your plate or part of a small HR team drowning in tasks, it’s tempting to pass the responsibility on to an experienced recruiter. 

But what if you could keep control, save a ton of cash, and still land the perfect fit for your team? Let’s find out when and why you should opt for an external recruiter vs. Magnet.me for your hiring needs!

Why do companies go for external recruiters? 

First, let’s break down why companies choose to outsource their hiring needs at times:

  1. It’s quick and convenient: Time is something most of us don’t have enough of, and this is precisely why external recruiters are often seen as a shortcut to hiring. They handle everything, so you don’t have to worry about the nitty-gritty details - from finding candidates to setting up the interviews.

  2. On-demand expertise: Not everyone is a recruitment guru, and that’s okay. External recruiters are specialists who know the market, understand what to look for in candidates, and have an extensive network at their fingertips. For smaller companies or startups without a dedicated HR team, these external recruiters offer a flexible, on-demand solution.

  3. No cure, no pay: Many external recruiters work on a "no cure, no pay" basis, meaning you only pay them once they’ve successfully found and placed a candidate in your company. This can seem like a low-risk option, especially if you’re hesitant about pouring money into recruitment efforts that might not work out.

But here’s the catch: while external recruiters bring some advantages, they’re not always the best fit for every situation… 

Why Magnet.me is your best bet

Now, let’s flip the script. Here’s why Magnet.me could actually be the smarter choice over outsourcing your recruitment:

Reason #1: Culture matters

Nowadays - especially for the younger generations - finding a job is much more than a way to pay for overpriced rent and groceries. People want to feel like they belong, and contribute to a vision they believe in. 

This starts with attracting the right people; Those who are not just fit for the job, but also match your culture. Not convinced yet? Studies show that companies see a 56% boost in job performance and a 50% drop in turnover risk when employees feel a sense of belonging1. That’s huge!

Sure, external recruiters are focused on finding a candidate. But when it comes to judging cultural fit, who’s better equipped than you? Magnet.me empowers you to stay in control. By engaging with your candidates directly, you can gauge their character and assess how they’ll mesh with your team.

Reason #2: Branding on the spot 

On that note: Candidates are doing their homework on you! In fact, 75% of jobseekers consider a company’s brand before applying2

That’s why having a solid employer brand is a game-changer; It helps you attract top talent and build a winning team - which ultimately drives your company’s success. If you’re only relying on external recruiters, you’re missing out on opportunities to boost your brand and attract talent organically.

Magnet.me offers you much more. You don’t just connect with potential candidates for the immediate role you need to fill; our profile features also showcase your company’s culture, values, and what it’s really like to work there. 

Reason #3: Your wallet will thank you 

Let’s talk about a not-so-fun-but-important topic: Finances. External recruiters typically charge 15-25% of a new hire’s annual salary3. That’s a big chunk of change - especially if you’re hiring multiple people. Instead, we like to offer a cost-effective alternative that can save you serious money without compromising on quality. The best part? You can reinvest those savings into a killer onboarding experience or training programs for your team.

→ Imagine hiring a new software engineer with an annual salary of €50,000. A recruiter’s fee could be as high as €12,500. Now, multiply that by two or three hires, and you’re looking at a significant expense!

Reason #4: Stay ahead of the game

The best time to start looking for your A-players? Before you even need them! After all, you don't want to settle for candidates who are just "good enough for now", do you? Smart companies use long-term hiring strategies instead of scrambling to fill positions on the go by creating a talent pool (a collection of candidates who have already shown interest in your company). This way, you reduce the time and cost of hiring while improving the quality of your hires.

Instead of looking for candidates when you’re most desperate, Magnet.me allows you to create a lasting network of top-tier talent.

Ready to save big and hire smart? 

In the end, choosing between an external recruiter and Magnet.me comes down to what you value most in your hiring process. If you’re looking for a quick fix and don’t mind handing over control, an external recruiter can be the way to go. But if you’re aiming to build a cost-effective, sustainable recruitment strategy while strengthening your employer brand, Magnet.me is your best bet.

So, are you ready to save big and hire smart? Build your tribe with magnet.me!

1: https://grow.betterup.com/resources/the-value-of-belonging-at-work-the-business-case-for-investing-in-workplace-inclusion-event?camp=7012J000001YGmw&utm_medium=OAD&utm_source=HBR&utm_campaign=AMS19+-+Belonging+Report&utm_term=WP

2: https://business.linkedin.com/content/dam/business/talent-solutions/global/en_us/c/pdfs/ultimate-list-of-employer-brand-stats.pdf

3: https://eddy.com/hr-encyclopedia/recruitment-fees/

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Luc van Wanroij

Luc van Wanroij

As Team Lead New Business, Luc has over four years of experience facing challenges in the jobseeker market. He has worked with all kinds of clients, from startups with their first hiring needs to multinationals with hundreds of job openings at the same time. In his spare time, he writes columns for a podcast. This combination makes him the ideal specialist to write about the fields of job marketing, employer branding, and direct hiring.