Between the talent shortage, client and candidate engagement, and strategic growth initiatives, recruitment and staffing firms have a lot on their plates this year! With 70% of firms expecting increases in hiring needs, according to a report by Bullhorn, they will need to expand their own teams to keep up with the demand. Not only does this mean that now is a great time to make a move, but it also means you could receive more than one offer when job searching.

So, how do you make the best decision for your recruiting career?

As a recruiter, your job is to advise professionals on their job search and/or employers on their hiring decisions. But, when it comes to your own career, it can be a little more difficult to know what to do. If you find yourself being courted by more than one staffing firm, here are the factors to consider as you progress through the hiring process:

Industry Reputation: No matter your impression of the firm, the public’s perception should play a role in your decision. As a result, you’ll want to do your research to ensure each prospective employer conducts business ethically. Get started by checking out each company’s website and looking them up on 3^rd party sites like Glassdoor. Then, compare the following factors:

• Company mission statements
• Recent company news
• Former and current employee reviews
• Client and candidate testimonials

While you should take reviews with a grain of salt, any major trends can reveal a lot about a company’s values and how they approach relationships with clients and candidates.

Growth Potential: Before making your decision, think about which opportunity will give you a better chance at achieving your long-term goals. Since different firms have varying promotion timelines and career paths in place, these are considerations you must make if growth is important to you. Gain further insight into a firm’s opportunities for professional development by asking these questions:

• Why is this position open?
• What does the typical growth path look like for someone in this position?
• What does one need to accomplish in order to get to the next level?
• Are promotions based on tenure, merit, or specific metrics?

Compensation Structure: Before accepting an offer, you need to understand how you are going to be compensated. Whether you will earn a base plus commission, have a draw against commission, or will make 100% commission, ensure you feel comfortable with the compensation structure. If one company does not have an explicit plan for how you will be paid, this should raise some red flags.

Technology + Resources: Try to assess the technology as well as the resources available to you at each firm. If you are concerned about continuous professional development, for example, you’ll want to ensure that the company is committed to using the most up-to-date recruitment tools. In a similar vein, pay close attention to each company’s website. With internet searches being a key traffic driver for many recruitment firms, it is not a good sign when a company does not understand the power of an effective website or the importance of a strong online presence.

Company Culture: Culture can refer to a wide range of factors, from a company’s shared practices and beliefs to the actual work environment. As a result, it’s important to ensure you can see yourself being happy at the company you choose to work for in the long run. For example, you should know the answers to the following questions before taking the next step in your recruiting career:

• Will I have access to leadership?
• How collaborative is the work environment?
• Has the firm adapted to evolving recruitment trends?
• Will I be a generalist or an industry specialist?
• How much teamwork is involved?

The People: If you’re strongly considering an offer, it’s always a good idea to get a tour of the office before you accept. Not only is it an opportunity to get a glimpse into the company culture and how you might fit into it, but it’s a great way to meet your future colleagues. When doing so, listen closely to each person you are introduced to. They should all be on the same page regarding the role, the company’s mission, and the culture.