The water industry is rapidly transforming and becoming more sophisticated. Issues of climate change, population growth, aging infrastructure, and ever-changing regulations are reshaping how utilities and industry deliver safe and reliable water services.
Leadership and technical talents are now more critical than ever, and it is becoming progressively more difficult to find talent. That is why working with Jeff Smith and Associates, a specialized recruiting firm, provides added value.
Generalist recruitment firms can fill vacancies, but they are not connected to the water industry and don’t have the background or knowledge to find the right candidates for water industry roles like we do. Your recruiter needs an in-depth understanding of the water sector’s unique technical, regulatory, and community-facing challenges. Recruiting is more than submitting resumes to clients to see which resumes stick.
Deep Industry Knowledge
The water industry is broad and encompasses many fields, such as water treatment plant operations and asset management to hydrology, engineering, policy, equipment knowledge, sales, and project management to name a few areas.
Specialized recruiters understand the certifications, licenses, and technical proficiencies required for each role. They can distinguish between a candidate who is simply “qualified on paper” and someone who possesses the practical, real-world experience and maturity needed to navigate the complexities of the water industry. Reading someone’s LinkedIn profile or resume rarely provides a valid overview assessment of someone’s areas of expertise.
The best candidates are gainfully employed and not looking for a change
The best candidates in the water industry may not be actively looking for new roles. They are high-performing contributors usually content with their company and roles but are intrigued by new opportunities. They may want to be a bigger cog in a smaller wheel, or want the freedom of a smaller firm, or more flexibility in their work arrangement. Niche recruiters have strong industry networks – candidates respect that and will speak with them because of their industry knowledge and affiliations. They are more credible, which means candidates will be more likely to speak with them. This credibility also offers excellent industry referrals.
Understanding of regulatory and compliance requirements
The water industry has stringent regulations, that change frequently, and are, to a certain extent driven by regional regulations. Specialized recruiters understand the nuances of regulatory and compliance issues and can recruit candidates that meet these technical requirements while also fitting a clients’ culture.
Companies need to hire the right person for the job
Companies cannot afford to hire the wrong person, in particular for leadership or highly technical roles. Hiring the wrong person can have serious consequences for all aspects of a business, from company culture to technical expertise to the bottom line. Specialized recruiters know who the right candidates are and only submit candidates that meet the technical competency and cultural fit requirements for a company. This process reduces employee turnover.
Faster, More Targeted Searches
A generalist recruiter is not connected to the water industry. That means they will spend more time connecting with potential candidates hoping for a match to the job, if they are even able to get candidates to respond. Specialized recruiters hit the ground running.
The biggest challenge hiring people within the water industry, as with all industries, is not enough relevant experience and often a lack of talent. The competition for candidates has never been this stiff. If a candidate is looking at one role, they are considering other options. Companies need to act quickly in order to hire the talent that they are looking for. A specialized recruiter works with their clients to minimize the hiring cycle.
Workforce Planning
Specialized recruiters have insight into the water industry’s long-term workforce trends. We are currently seeing an unprecedented number of people retiring. A specialized recruiter develops strong relationships with career-minded professionals and works with their client in succession planning, identifying future skills gaps, and developing recruitment strategies that align with their client’s strategic goals.