Insurance broker urges recruitment agencies to stop being jobsworths

This is not a typical recruitment exercise, and requires foresight and flexibility on the recruiter’s

Recruitment agencies specialising in the insurance sector are being encouraged to update their thinking and not be left behind purely by being ‘a jobsworth’ and not understanding a new dynamic in the industry.

Gauntlet Group, a commercial insurance broker and risk manager headquartered in Leeds, but with representation in over 30 different locations nationwide, is warning recruiters that not appreciating the route through which many talented insurance account executives are advancing their careers could be losing them additional income streams.

Gauntlet is a ‘principal’ of the country’s most flourishing network of Appointed Representatives – Gauntlet Enterprise. It is continually seeking to partner with more Appointed Representatives, or ARs as they are known, and has set aside a considerable sum of money this financial year, to cover recruitment payments.

However, this is not a typical recruitment exercise, and requires foresight and flexibility on the recruiter’s. Rather than putting an account executive forward for a job, a recruiter needs to look at the individual’s CV and see that employment should not be their next career move.

They should suggest self-employment, as an AR, so the candidate can run their own business and enjoy both lifestyle and earning potential benefits.

As Gauntlet Enterprise knows recruiters may not understand the AR role, it has a ‘Day in the Life of an AR’ guide, downloadable from http://www.gauntletenterprise.com/directly-authorised-brokers/downloads.

It details how an AR becomes their own boss, but with the backing of Gauntlet and a full suite of back office support services.

The AR focuses on finding clients and growing their business, knowing they could earn far more than on offer in an employed role.

Gauntlet also stresses that the personality of many ARs is such that, even if appointed to another employed role, they would still be dissatisfied with their career and quickly move on.

Recruiters could lose credibility with clients, if this scenario keeps occurring – another good reason to look at the AR model and the commission opportunities available.

Gauntlet Enterprise’s director, Paul Coates, says:

“We struggle to arrange appointments with recruitment agencies, because many have not kept up with the shifting dynamic in the insurance sector and have the blinkers on, considering solely traditional career moves.

“They need to stop being what we are calling ‘jobsworths’ and think more flexibly, still earning commission from the candidate’s next move, but from an AR principal and not an ‘employer’.

“We are baffled as to why agencies continue to bang a drum that won’t work for certain candidates, because these individuals want different things, such as freedom, self-worth, flexible working hours and a fresh challenge.

“They can have all of this as an AR and start up a business without being completely alone, as they receive all of our back office support. Hopefully, our ‘Day in the Life’ material will wake a few recruiters up.”

Recruitment agencies wishing to find out more about the commission payments available can contact Paul Coates on 0113 244 8686.

More information about Gauntlet Enterprise is available at www.gauntletenterprise.com

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The British Institute of Recruiters is the Professional Body operating The Recruitment Certification Scheme

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