What is Recruitment Process Outsourcing (RPO)?

Recruitment Process Outsourcing (RPO)

Recruitment can be a challenging and time-consuming task for any company. Finding the right talent to fit the organizational culture, meet the job requirements, and bring value to the team is crucial for success. 

Recruiting talented candidates has become increasingly challenging for small to medium-sized businesses with limited resources. This is particularly true for startups, as they may lack the necessary expertise and resources to manage the recruitment process effectively. 

As a result, startups often face additional pressures, including increased costs, time constraints, and the risk of making poor hiring decisions.

That’s where Recruitment Process Outsourcing (RPO) comes in. RPO providers can take the burden of recruitment off these businesses, saving them time, money, and resources, and allowing them to focus on their core business operations. 

According to a recent Grand View Research study, the global recruitment process outsourcing market size is expected to reach USD 20.8 billion by 2027. 

In this blog, we’ll look at what RPO is, how it works, and what benefits it can bring to your organization.

Table of Contents

Meaning of Recruitment Process Outsourcing (RPO)

RPO, which stands for “Recruitment Process Outsourcing“, is a type of outsourcing where an organization outsources some or all of its recruitment functions to an external provider. Typically, the external supplier is in charge of the entire recruitment process, from finding and screening candidates to onboarding new hires.

To explain what RPO is, let me give you an example.

let’s say that a company in the IT sector is experiencing rapid growth and needs to hire a large number of software developers within a short period. However, its HR division is not able to keep up with the rapid growth and cannot handle this surge in recruiting.

In this case, the company could outsource the recruiting process to an RPO service provider. The RPO provider would work closely with the company’s HR team to understand the company’s recruiting goals before taking over the talent recruitment process and using their own expertise, technology, and resources to find, screen, and engage candidates.

They would also offer regular reports and updates on the recruiting process to the company’s HR personnel.

How does Recruitment Process Outsourcing (RPO) work?

By partnering with RPO providers, companies can outsource part or all of their recruitment processes to improve efficiency and focus on core business functions.

But how exactly does RPO work?

Here’s how the RPO process works:

  • Needs Assessment: The RPO provider works closely with the organization to understand their hiring needs, recruitment goals, and any unique requirements or challenges they may face.

  • Design Solution: Based on the needs assessment, the RPO provider creates a customised recruiting solution that is in-line with the organization’s goals and budget.

  • Talent Sourcing: The RPO provider recruits applicants through multiple channels like job boards, social media, employee recommendations, and others using their experience, technology, and resources.
    To recruit passive applicants, they may also use targeted advertising, talent networks, and other tactics.

  • Screening & Assessment: To find the most qualified applicants, the RPO provider conducts initial screening and evaluation of candidates utilising techniques such as online exams, behavioral interviews, and other methods.

  • Candidate Engagement: To create a pleasant candidate experience, the RPO provider engages applicants through personalized contact, feedback, and frequent updates.

  • Hiring & Onboarding: The RPO provider collaborates closely with the organization to manage everything from making job offers to facilitating background checks and other pre-employment needs. They may also assist with new hire onboarding.

Throughout the process, the RPO provides the organization with frequent reports and updates on key recruiting metrics such as time-to-fill, cost-per-hire, and quality of hiring.

This enables the organization to track the progress of the recruiting process and make data-driven decisions. Organizations can free up internal resources to focus on key business functions.

Benefits of RPO for Small and Medium-Sized Businesses

Benefits of RPO for Small and Medium-Sized Businesses

Small and Medium-Sized Businesses (SMBs) face unique recruitment challenges, including limited resources and competition from larger companies. Recruitment Process Outsourcing (RPO) can provide SMBs with a cost-effective and efficient solution to these challenges.


But what are the specific benefits of RPO for SMBs?

  • Enhanced workforce planning and agility: RPO providers use market insights and talent analytics to help organizations plan for their recruitment needs and adapt to changing market conditions.

  • Faster recruitment: RPO providers leverage new sourcing and screening processes, AI-powered recruiting tools, talent marketing and employer branding strategies, and talent marketing and employer branding strategies to locate and engage the right candidates quicker than traditional talent recruitment approaches.

  • Scalability: RPO facilitates organizations to easily scale up or down their recruiting efforts based on business demands without investing in new internal staff.

  • Cost saving: RPO can help organizations save money on recruitment costs by minimizing their reliance on third-party staffing agencies and optimizing their recruitment processes.

  • More diverse and fair hiring practices: By implementing fair hiring practices and creating a more inclusive culture, RPO providers may assist organizations in developing a diversified and inclusive workforce.

  • Access to talent pools: RPO providers offer access to talent pools for specialised and in-demand skills, allowing organizations to find qualified employees more quickly and efficiently.

  • Risk mitigation: RPO providers can assist organizations in mitigating recruiting risks by assuring compliance with local laws and regulations.


Here’s an example:

Let’s say a multinational company is looking to expand its operations into a new country, but it has limited knowledge of the local labor laws and regulations. The company is concerned about the risk of non-compliance, which could result in legal liabilities, fines, and reputational damage.

To mitigate these risks, the company decides to get the services of an RPO provider that has expertise in the local labor market and compliance requirements.

By working with the RPO provider, the company can ensure that recruiting practices are fully compliant with local laws and regulations.

  • Improved visibility and control: RPO provider sends regular reports and insights into recruiting performance, providing organizations with increased visibility and control over their recruitment operations.


Overall, RPO can help organizations streamline their recruitment processes, reduce recruitment costs, improve the quality of hires, and create a more diverse and inclusive workforce, making it a valuable solution for organizations of all sizes and industries.

RPO vs. typical recruiting or Staffing

Unlike traditional recruiting or staffing firms, which focus on filling specific roles, RPO providers work with businesses to simplify their whole recruitment process. Everything from job postings and candidate sourcing to onboarding and compliance.

To compare RPO versus traditional recruiting, see the table below.

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Is RPO needed for your organization?

Whether or not Recruitment Process Outsourcing (RPO) is right for your organization depends on a number of factors. Here are some things to consider:

  • Recruitment needs: Are you struggling to find qualified candidates? Are you spending too much time on recruitment tasks? Do you need to hire a large number of employees quickly? RPO might be a good fit if you answered yes to any of these questions. RPO services can help organizations fill roles more effectively as compared to in-house staff.

  • Budget: While RPO can be a cost-effective solution for some businesses, it is critical to evaluate the costs and advantages of outsourcing recruitment services..

  • Evaluate cost and time savings: RPO can be a cost-effective solution for many businesses. Consider the costs of internal recruitment activities such as advertising, screening, interviewing, and onboarding. RPO providers may often provide a quicker, more efficient process, saving you both time and money.

  • Scalability: RPO can be a good fit for businesses that need to scale up their recruitment efforts quickly, such as during periods of growth or expansion. Consider your current and future recruitment needs to determine if RPO is a scalable solution.

  • Consider expertise and technology: RPO providers often have specialised experience and access to cutting-edge technology, such as all-in-one hiring, tracking, and managing systems which can help businesses optimise their recruiting process.

Assess your own recruitment expertise as well as technology to see if RPO may bring extra value. Finally, whether or not RPO is suitable for a company is determined by its specific objectives, goals, and constraints.

RPO pricing models

  • Cost-per-hire: In this model, the RPO provider charges a fee for each applicant hired. This model is beneficial to organizations with a large number of recruiting demands since it may assist them in managing recruitment expenses and maintaining control over the recruitment process.

  • Cost-per-resource: In this model, the RPO provider charges a price depending on the resources required to fill the role. This model is appropriate for organizations that wish to retain control over the recruiting process but want access to specialised resources and experience.

  • Management fee model: In this model, the RPO provider charges a fixed fee for managing the recruiting process, regardless of the number of recruits made. This concept is ideal for organizations that wish to outsource recruiting tasks yet keep control over the process and prices.

  • Management Fee Plus Cost Per Hire: This model charges a management fee as well as a cost-per-hire fee. This technique may give organizations a mix of control and flexibility in the recruiting process while also assisting in cost management.

  • Cost-per-slate model: Regardless of whether or not a hire happens, this model charges a fee depending on the number of candidates presented to the organization for consideration.

  • Cost-per-transaction: This model charges a fee for every transactional activity in the recruitment process, such as sourcing, screening, or onboarding.

Examples of pricing models

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How to choose the right RPO provider?

Choosing the right Recruitment Process Outsourcing (RPO) provider is an important decision that can impact the success of your small company’s recruitment process.

Here are some key factors to consider when selecting an RPO provider:

  • Look for industry-specific experience and references
  • Ensure scalability according to your needs
  • Check for use of advanced recruitment technology and tools
  • Select a provider who communicates and collaborates throughout the process
  • Look for cultural alignment with your company’s values and goals
  • Ensure global security expertise for compliance
  • Choose a provider who stays up-to-date on talent market trends to identify and attract high-quality candidates
  • Review client testimonials and case studies to understand the RPO provider’s track record and success in delivering results for similar organizations

If, as an organization, you are considering building your Developer team, we can help you start building one in less than 48 hours.

Conclusion

As discussed above Recruitment Process Outsourcing (RPO) is an effective solution that can benefit organizations in numerous ways, such as faster recruitment, cost savings, specialized expertise, and better control over the recruitment process.

To keep up with the growth, outsourcing the recruitment process to an RPO provider like Ellow can streamline the recruitment process and help businesses focus on core operations.

Ellow provides customized RPO solutions, including talent sourcing, screening, assessment, and candidate engagement.

Frequently Asked Questions about RPO

RPO can benefit organizations of all sizes and industries, from small businesses to large multinational corporations.

Yes, RPO providers can play a key role in helping organizations to improve diversity and inclusion in their recruitment processes. This can include sourcing candidates from diverse backgrounds, removing bias from job postings and interview processes, and implementing diversity training for recruiters and hiring managers.

Pros:

  1. Cost Efficiency: RPO services can reduce recruitment costs as they often have streamlined processes and economies of scale.
  2. Scalability: RPOs can quickly scale recruitment efforts up or down based on an organization’s needs.
  3. Access to Expertise: RPO providers are specialized and have deep knowledge about recruitment strategies, tools, and market trends.
  4. Quality of Hires: With their expertise, RPOs can help in improving the quality of candidates and reduce time-to-fill for positions.
  5. Enhanced Employer Branding: Many RPOs offer services to enhance an employer’s brand in the job market.

Cons:

  1. Loss of Control: Companies might feel they have less control over their recruitment processes when outsourcing.
  2. Dependency: Over-reliance on an RPO can make a company dependent, potentially causing issues if the partnership ends.
  3. Mismatch of Culture: If the RPO doesn’t fully understand the company’s culture, it can lead to hires that might not be a good fit.
  4. Hidden Costs: Some RPO contracts might have hidden costs or clauses that can increase expenses.
  5. Integration Issues: Integrating the RPO’s system and process with the company’s existing HR systems can sometimes be challenging.

RPO, or Recruitment Process Outsourcing, is focused on outsourcing recruitment processes such as sourcing, screening, and onboarding candidates.

BPO, or Business Process Outsourcing, involves outsourcing entire business processes such as customer service, accounting, or human resources to third-party providers.

While both RPO and BPO involve outsourcing to external providers, they differ in terms of the specific processes being outsourced. RPO is focused solely on recruitment processes, while BPO can encompass a wider range of business processes. 

RPO can offer several benefits over internal recruitment, including access to a wider talent pool, reduced cost per hire, improved recruitment efficiency, and better compliance with hiring regulations. Additionally, RPO can help to free up internal resources and allow the organization to focus on other areas of its business.

Staffing involves filling open positions on a short-term or contract basis, while RPO (Recruitment Process Outsourcing) involves outsourcing the entire recruitment process to an external provider.

RPO typically focuses on long-term strategic talent acquisition, while staffing is more focused on immediate staffing needs.

A recruiter is an individual who is responsible for finding and hiring qualified candidates for open positions within a company. They typically work directly for the company they are recruiting for and are tasked with identifying potential candidates, screening them, and presenting them to the hiring manager for further consideration.

An RPO recruiter is a recruiter who works for an external company that provides recruitment services to other organizations. RPO recruiters are responsible for managing the entire recruitment process for their clients, from sourcing and screening candidates to scheduling interviews and managing the hiring process.

They may also provide additional services, such as employer branding and recruitment analytics.

RPOs make money through various pricing models. Common models include:

  1. Retainer Fees: An upfront fee for services.
  2. Transaction Fees: Payment for every successful placement or hire.
  3. Monthly Management Fees: Ongoing fees for managing the recruitment process.
  4. Project-based Fees: For specific, time-bound recruitment projects.

RPO recruiters typically receive a salary from the RPO provider they work for. In addition to their base salary, some recruiters might receive bonuses or commissions based on the number of placements they make, the satisfaction of the client, or meeting specific recruitment milestones.

Picture of Suvankar Das

Suvankar Das

Picture of Suvankar Das

Suvankar Das

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