The challenge
RPMI offers pension administration services for the occupational pension market. The company needed two technical support engineers to help maintain its IT systems, and looked to Reed to fill the role.
Technical support roles are normally routine placements for our experienced technology recruitment specialists, and we have sourced candidates in similar areas for RPMI. However, the firm required these two new hires amid the global Covid-19 pandemic. This uncertainty made it challenging to find suitable, highly skilled candidates who would be willing to risk their security by changing roles during this time.
In a difficult time to source, due to Covid-19, Michael was able to place both IT roles. While there was a struggle with some withdrawals, he was always able to bounce back.
HR Resourcing Advisor for RPMI
The solution
Given the challenging recruitment environment, our consultant, Senior Practice Manager Michael Crooks, knew that he would need to deploy all the tools at his disposal to find suitable candidates. This included identifying professionals who were not actively seeking a new role, and extending his network to uncover as many qualified candidates in the region as possible.
Michael said: “I have worked on these types of roles multiple times for the client, so I’m always passively looking at potential candidates. I had to combine an understanding of the financial sector with detailed knowledge of RPMI’s internal setup, and the nuances of a technical Information Technology Infrastructure Library (ITIL) focused service desk.”
Our consultant also used LinkedIn, job advertising and referrals from his local technology networks to find the candidates required.
To ensure RPMI had the most seamless experience, Michael also made sure to stick to the set deadlines, he said: “Feedback was delivered to the client on the same day as the interviews, and I had ongoing conversations with the internal recruitment team.”
The results
Laura Blake, HR Resourcing Advisor for RPMI, was delighted with the service, she said: “In a difficult time to source, due to Covid-19, Michael was able to place both IT roles. While there was a struggle with some withdrawals, he was always able to bounce back”.
As suspected, some candidates who were initially interested in the position later reconsidered due to the pandemic. Our consultant was in constant communication with RPMI and followed-up quickly for feedback on interviews or CVs, demonstrating that they would overcome any setbacks created by the turbulent market.
After displaying great tenacity and working hard to find qualified candidates who were willing to consider a move despite the uncertain environment, Reed was able to fill both positions for RPMI on schedule.
One of the professionals placed into a role was Jody Welch, a candidate who had not been actively seeking a new job but had coveted this type of position. She has settled into her new role well and said: “Michael was in contact via phone and email almost every other day since the day of the interview, to ensure that administration was in order and to check how I was feeling overall about getting the new role. I couldn’t be happier with how quick this process came about and led to me earning a position that I have been looking at achieving for quite a number of years.”
