Finding trustworthy, technically efficient employees is one of the biggest struggles any HVAC business faces. You can only grow as fast as your team allows, and if you’re looking at an influx of new jobs, you need the staff power to handle it and support your business development.
You might also be breaking into different specialties within your industry or working with new types of HVAC systems, and you need techs proficient in those areas. Or maybe you’re bidding on larger jobs and looking for supervisors or project managers with related experience.
An HVAC recruitment agency may just be the route you need to take to expand your reach and make sure you find the right talent that will help your business ascend to the next level. In this article, we’ll look at when employing a recruitment agency might be the right move, how much should you expect to pay these agencies, and what to look for in an agency.
Things to consider when hiring a recruitment agency for your HVAC business
Before we dive in, watch this video to learn the basics of creating an effective hiring and management process from Housecall Pro’s co-founder and SVP of People:
When should you hire an HVAC recruitment agency?
If you’ve had an open job listing on Indeed, Craigslist, LinkedIn, and wherever else you post, for more than a month without any quality bites, it might be time to bring in additional help.
Most HVAC companies don’t have the need for an internal human resources department. External help can be contracted as needed, as opposed to paying for the full-time salary plus benefits of an HR manager or recruiter.
You’ll know an HVAC recruitment agency is right for you when:
- You know the supply of competent HVAC technicians is lacking in your community and job placement is needed.
- You lack the bandwidth to conduct your own HVAC hiring processes and you don’t have the time and resources to vet if all of your candidates meet the legal requirements and have all the certifications needed to fill the role.
Or:
- You’re breaking into new fields that require specialty hires and you’re looking for help finding candidates with those specialties or running new-to-you executive searches.
A recruitment agency can help sift through the initial pool of job seekers to find the top qualified candidates based on your specific priorities and values.
What should I look for in hiring the right agency for my business needs?
Just like the hiring of a specific service tech, one size does not fit all with employing an HVAC recruitment agency either. There are important variables that you should consider when finding the right agency.
First off, does the agency service your area? Some agencies are nationwide whereas others have specific reach in certain geographic locations.
Are you looking for contract hire, part-time, or a full-time hire? Some agencies work with placing candidates on a contractual basis, perhaps a commercial job that only requires a 4-6 month time frame. Other agencies place candidates into a full-time commitment for the business. Some will even include a contract to full-time. It’s important to understand what type of commitment you are looking for. Can you solve your bandwidth problem with a temporary contractual agreement or is a full-time candidate necessary?
Does the agency specialize in whatever type of talent you’re looking for? If you’re looking for a specific type of technician or management position, make sure the agency has experience with those roles. For instance, some agencies specialize in techs that are trained to work with refrigerant or chillers systems, indoor air quality, etc. Other agencies work with larger commercial companies that need design engineers, commissioning or project management experts with years’ experience, and so on. Whatever your specific needs, check an agency’s website to see what areas of the heating and air conditioning industry they cover.
What should you expect to pay for an HVAC recruitment agency?
When looking to employ a recruitment agency to fill your hiring needs, it’s important to shop around and see what agency is right for you. Some agencies enact an upfront fee for the placement, others will take a percentage of the pay for a given amount of time until the fee is reconciled. We’ve compiled a list of some of the leading recruitment agencies. Contact them and see if they’re right for you:
- Manpower: A relatively young nationwide firm that has experienced rapid success in placing highly trained and qualified technicians to many businesses.
- Balanced Staffing: A company that staffs not only HVAC technicians but other industries including hospitality, construction, manufacturing, and more. With years of experience and successful placement, it’s an agency that has rightfully built trust with its past clients.
- Direct Recruiters Incorporated (DRI): A recruitment agency specializing in placing top HVAC candidates to the right company. DRI prides itself on being a “relationship-focused search firm” meaning they blend organizational and technical fit.
- American Recruiters: A nationwide recruitment firm with the most accumulated year’s experience than any of the other listed agencies. Since 1982, American Recruiters has placed job candidates from entry-level HVAC techs to HVAC executives.
Employing an HVAC recruitment agency can oftentimes be the missing ingredient in catapulting your business to the next level. If you need qualified hands and you need them yesterday, using a recruiter is the step you can take. It is important to identify when a recruiter is a right move, however. Sometimes, you may feel you need a new pair of hands because you cannot stay on top of all the administrative work that your HVAC business requires.
