RPO 101: Frequently Asked Questions You Should Know About the Industry

by | Nov 20, 2019 | Offshore Staffing, Offshore RPO

frequently asked questions RPO

The labor market has been rapidly growing and evolving for the past several decades. Amidst these changing times, every organization wants to hire top-notch employees for their company.

The need to find innovative solutions for recruiting and sourcing candidates has become one of the top priorities for modern organizations today. Organizations want an efficient and cost-effective recruitment process that enhances the quality of hires and increases retention. 

Due to the turbulent global economy, organizations today are normally under intense pressure to continuously improve their processes and shift their focus to their core business competencies.

 

Recruitment Process Outsourcing: The New Age of Recruitment

Organizations need to objectively evaluate the components of the recruitment process to determine what their company can do best internally and what should be outsourced to an expert third-party recruitment firm.

As a result, recruitment firms all over the world are under immense pressure to find top-notch talent that will fill in the organization’s vacancy more effectively. This demand gave birth to the rise of the RPO (recruitment process outsourcing) industry.

Recruitment firms have found a cost-effective and efficient solution to source, vet, interview, and hire candidates by engaging in a strategic partnership with RPO companies. With the help of their RPO partners, recruitment firms now have a scalable recruiting and sourcing workforce that is available to serve them 24/7. 

RPO refers to the entire recruitment process or several critical elements of it. This industry has been around for several decades already. However, the ongoing “war for talent” in the labor market has made the practice gain more popularity in recent years.

A recruitment firm’s RPO partner provides greater recruitment efficiencies with best practice processes and improved sourcing techniques. RPO solutions offer a unique approach that provides a cost-effective and results-driven alternative for recruitment firms and even for a company’s in-house recruitment team.

However, it should be noted that RPO is not just for big staffing firms with a high demand for recruitment needs. Julie Meyer, senior talent acquisition manager at West Monroe Partners in Chicago, said, “No matter how small if you have a consistent stream of hiring needs, an RPO might be a good fit. Numbers don’t matter; it’s all about flow.”

Here are several FAQs regarding the RPO industry that you need to know:

FAQ 1: What do RPO services entail for organizations?

RPO service providers are equipped to take over the entire recruitment function of their clients. RPO providers would often offer to enhance their client’s recruitment efforts and be the third-party arm that will improve their recruitment sourcing strategies. RPO services usually include the following: candidate research, sourcing, applicant tracking, background checking, screening, pre-employment testing, selection management, employment offers, strategic consulting, vendor management, and onboarding.

FAQ 2: How will RPO service providers help your organization recruit top candidates?

An RPO partner will help your company by offloading the tedious tasks of the recruitment process, such as looking for profiles of passive candidates, vetting potential candidates, and managing Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS). With their specialized recruitment expertise, your RPO service provider will save a significant amount of time for your recruitment efforts by pre-screening candidates of your behalf.

FAQ 3: Why should organizations outsource their recruitment processes?

Here are several reasons why it’s beneficial for companies and recruitment firms to engage with an offshore RPO provider:

  • Transparency

Every RPO firm has a clear set of standard recruitment processes. As candidates engage in several rounds of the interview process, there is increased transparency so that chances of partiality will be lowered. Recruiters from RPO firms abide by a strict code of recruitment processes to avoid preferential treatment for candidates. 

  • Focus on the company’s growth

Recruitment firms are engaging the help of offshore recruitment providers to keep up with the demands of the industry. RPO providers can help in growing your company by executing strategic recruitment plans and building a strong recruitment workforce that will source top-notch candidates for their clients.

  • Outsourced services to specialists

RPO providers are seasoned recruiters that are skilled in sourcing top-notch candidates for specific industries. Their technical expertise and recruitment network can help with shortlisting the most qualified candidate for a particular job opening.    

  • Manage the entire recruitment process

RPO providers can help both organizations and recruitment firms in managing their firm’s recruitment process by having a recruitment partner that’s readily available 24/7. Your RPO partner can easily manage job boards and update social media channels, but most of all, they can help stay in touch with potential candidates for you. An RPO provider’s innovative and efficient recruitment techniques can help improve your overall recruitment services. 

 

FAQ 4: How can RPO services lower recruitment costs and reduce time to hire?

Recruitment firms would often engage with RPO providers to gain a competitive advantage by eliminating fixed recruitment costs. In fact, staffing firms are expected to earn as much as 20-30% operational savings through an RPO partnership.

RPO partnerships give scalability for staffing firms to reduce recruitment costs by utilizing innovative recruiting strategies, rich databases, and competent recruiters that only RPO services can provide. Additionally, the best offshore RPO providers can also dramatically cut a firm’s costs per hire. A study by a leading offshore RPO firm in the Philippines showed that staffing firms could save up to 31% on their cost per hire by partnering with an offshore provider. This is made possible by offshore RPO providers that offer significant cost-efficient services.

FAQ 5: What makes an ideal RPO service provider?

A successful partnership with an offshore RPO provider requires proper goal setting and long-term thinking for both the client and the RPO partner. Doing so means that recruitment KPIs need to be continuously measured and updated. All recruitment services, processes, and procedures need to be clearly defined and properly executed.

FAQ 6: What are the benefits of offshoring RPO services in the Philippines?

The Philippines is said to be in an excellent position to capitalize on offshoring opportunities. Here’s why:

  • High literacy rate and English proficiency.

The literacy rate in the Philippines is relatively high as 95.9% of the total population can read and write. This is advantageous for Western-based staffing firms since they can easily communicate with Filipino recruiters. Communication is a vital aspect in the recruitment industry and choosing an offshore RPO firm that will communicate fluently and smoothly with clients and potential candidates are very important. 

  • Affinity in Western culture

The affinity of Filipinos in Western culture has given them a better understanding of Western trends, nuances, idiomatic expressions, and work ethic. By embracing Western culture and having a firm grasp in the English language, Filipinos gain the advantage of being a competent RPO partner. Since it is more practical to work with people who can understand not just your language, but also the context and nuances beyond words.

  • Supportive government programs and policies

An Asian Development Bank report showed that the Philippine government has been strongly supportive of its BPO industry since 2001. Combined with the various policies and training programs by the government, the Philippine labor market has the right tool to process recruitment data by having knowledgeable people in charge of the RPO industry. They are equipped with better skills to communicate with clients and better resources to work with teams at home and abroad.

  • Industrialization

Due to the assistance of the Philippine government, industrialization, in terms of modern IT, is fast improving in the country. Rapid industrialization has made it possible for RPO providers to offer 24-hour recruitment activities. While the foreign staffing firm rests at night, RPO providers in the Philippines can continue with the recruitment processes and work 24/7. With double the work being done, staffing firms will have a higher recruitment velocity.

FAQ 7: What differentiates Sysgen RPO from other RPO service providers in the Philippines?

Sysgen RPO is one of the Philippines’ most recognized IT staffing providers since 1991. Being in the industry for 28 years has helped them gain access to a network of highly-skilled recruiters. In 2013, the company started to venture into the offshore RPO industry and take advantage of their two decades of recruitment experience to assist US staffing firms. Sysgen’s main differentiator among RPO companies is their established roots in the recruitment industry, which eventually evolved into an offshore RPO firm. Most offshore RPO firms in the Philippines started out as BPO companies without having a real background in the recruitment field.

Let us help you with your staffing needs.

With more than 28 years of experience in the industry, Sysgen RPO is one of the premier RPO staffing companies in the Philippines. We can help you provide unparalleled recruitment support and give you a cost-effective service that will fill in your recruiting requirements with top-notch candidates.

If you’re interested in partnering with an RPO firm or if you have any questions regarding the RPO industry, don’t hesitate to leave a comment down below.

References: 

Grossman, R. J. (2012). How to Recruit A Recruitment Outsourcer. HR Magazine, 57(7), 51–54. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com.ezproxy.upd.edu.ph/login.aspx?direct=true&db=bsu&AN=77635029&site=ehost-live

Meskanich, P. (2009). Critical Success Factors for Recruitment Process Outsourcing (RPO). Utility Automation & Engineering T&D, 14(6), 8–11. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com.ezproxy.upd.edu.ph/login.aspx?direct=true&db=bsu&AN=42832186&site=ehost-live

Reasons to Hire an Offshore RPO. (2019). Recruitingblogs.com. Retrieved 2 June 2019, from https://recruitingblogs.com/profiles/blogs/5-reasons-to-engage-an-offshore-rpo-provider

Roa, J. (2018). Benefits of Offshoring Recruitment Process to the Philippines – RPO. Sysgen RPO. Retrieved 2 June 2019, from https://sysgen-rpo.com/benefits-of-offshoring-recruitment-process-to-the-philippines-rpo/ 

Roa, J. (2018). How Offshore RPO Companies Lower Recruitment Cost. Sysgen RPO. Retrieved 2 June 2019, from https://sysgen-rpo.com/offshore-rpo-companies-lower-recruitment-cost/

Stranathan, I. (2019). What is a RPO?. Staffvirtual.com. Retrieved 2 June 2019, from https://www.staffvirtual.com/blog/what-is-a-rpo-recruitment-process-outsourcing 

Value of Recruitment Process Outsourcing (RPO) for Recruiters. (2016). Noon Dalton. Retrieved 20 June 2019, from https://www.noondalton.com/why-it-is-valuable-for-recruiters-to-use-recruitment-process-outsourcing-rpo/

What is the recruitment process for outsourcing (RPO)? – Quora. (2019). Quora.com. Retrieved 2 June 2019, from https://www.quora.com/What-is-the-recruitment-process-for-outsourcing-RPO

 

Jo Rebustillo

LEARNING AND DEVELOPMENT MANAGER

Jo started her recruitment career in 2007. Since then, she has worked with several RPO and BPO companies in different capacities. She has worked as a Recruiter covering requisitions in US, AU, EU and APAC handling volume, non-IT and IT. She has led several teams as a Recruitment Manager, Account Manager, Service Delivery and Business Development. She has also led teams in different industries such as Media and Advertising, IT, Outsourcing, BPO, Manufacturing, Military, Healthcare and Sciences. She has built teams based on their strengths and developed leaders with strong ethical values as well as aiming to beat the average. She strongly believes in integrity, strive for growth, persistence and kindness as hallmarks of a successful person and company.

Nikita Magpantay

CLIENT RELATIONS MANAGER

Niki is a dynamic human resource professional with a focus on talent acquisition and HR business partnership, bringing her extensive expertise gained over 6 years. She is a versatile Recruiter specializing in diverse sectors including technical, banking and finance, logistics, sales, healthcare, and volume hiring. Niki, as an experienced HR Business Partner has proven success in aligning HR initiatives with business objectives, contributing to organizational growth. She seeks to foster positive employee relations and implementing effective engagement initiatives and business strategies while ensuring adherence to labor policies. Adept at combining a friendly demeanor with a dedicated result-oriented approach helps her bring a unique blend of empathy and strategic acumen to the workplace.

Intejar “Ram” Julkiram

CLIENT RELATIONS MANAGER

With 9 years of background in RPO, Ram is adept at managing and optimizing the recruitment process for clients, ensuring a seamless and efficient experience. His skills include a deep understanding of both the IT and non-IT industries, enabling him to provide tailored recruitment solutions for the team.

Shara Jane Bonifacio

CLIENT RELATIONS MANAGER

Shara Bonifacio boasts a rich and diverse career spanning more than 10 years within various industries in recruitment. As a highly skilled and effective communicator adept at engaging with people across multiple platforms, her passion lies in building lasting relationships. She excels not only in connecting with candidates but also in fostering strong ties with clients and stakeholders.

Throughout her career in industries such as Financial Services, Insurance Brokerage, Information Technology, Pharmaceutical, and Healthcare, Shara has showcased her results-driven mindset. Her penchant for challenges motivates her to continuously strive for excellence and growth.

Shara's leadership experience is a testament to her ability to guide and inspire teams, ensuring collective success and achieving organizational goals.

Evangeline “Gigi” Tilaon

CLIENT RELATIONS MANAGER

Gigi, an inspiring leader, possesses nearly 5 years of expertise in the art of Talent Acquisition and boasts a distinguished 15-year legacy of visionary leadership. She is renowned for her unwavering dependability and boundless supportiveness, qualities that radiate through every endeavor she undertakes. Gigi's leadership style is characterized by remarkable transparency and hands-on engagement, underlined by a profound trust in her team's exceptional talents. She confronts challenges with fearless determination, inspiring her team to achieve greatness. As a passionate outdoor enthusiast and a nurturing fur parent, Gigi advocates for a work-life equilibrium with extraordinary grace and enthusiasm.

Randy Owen Roman

CLIENT RELATIONS MANAGER

Randy brings extensive experience in the recruitment industry, spanning over 5 years. During his tenure, he has successfully managed a diverse portfolio of clients across multiple sectors, including IT, Financial, Retail, Light Industrial, BPO, Market Intelligence, and Healthcare. Randy is passionate about the outdoors and finds joy in activities like hiking and exploring nature. Equally, he appreciates the arts, indulging in music, movies, and series. As a leader, Randy exemplifies fairness and empowerment, consistently guiding and inspiring his team to surpass expectations.

Avielle Bernardino

CLIENT RELATIONS MANAGER

Avielle, with 7 years of Healthcare Recruitment, is not just a leader. She is a mentor and an architect of streamlined offshore program planning. She has an innate ability to optimize processes, ensuring they align seamlessly with our clients' and program-defined standards. She empowers her peers, nurturing exceptional performance and maintaining a high level of service quality. This dedication to efficiency has set a new benchmark within our organization. She actively participates in strategic planning initiatives, driving a culture of continuous improvement. This proactive approach ensures we stay ahead in a rapidly evolving industry.

Kris Florblanco

CLIENT RELATIONS MANAGER

Kris, with over six years in IT Recruitment and three years of team leadership, is known for dependability and supportiveness. Transparent and hands-on, she places trust in her team. An outdoor enthusiast, Kris faces challenges head-on to keep her team up and running.

Grace Marasigan

CLIENT RELATIONSHIP MANAGER

Grace, an empowering leader with six years in Talent Acquisition, is passionate about innovation and improvement. Balancing work quality and agility across various industries, her compassionate approach extends to her personal life as a committed vegan.

Ly Poticar

MANAGING DIRECTOR - OFFSHORE STAFFING

Ly brings 2 decades of expertise in the Recruitment and Staffing industry, covering various business verticals in both local and global recruitment. He has successfully led growth projects for SMBs and offshore expansion initiatives for Shared Services and other global enterprises. He seeks to continuously evolve his recruitment practices and client partnership agenda to provide innovative solutions and be a step ahead of the market trends. Ly has recruitment experience in the talent market for the following majors, as well as emerging industries: Tech – hardware/software/mobile/consulting/Web3, Online Gaming & Media, Digital Marketing, Finance – corporate/banking and fintech, Construction & Engineering, Energy, BPO, Manufacturing & Logistics.

Lara Belo

MANAGING DIRECTOR - ONSHORE RPO

Lara brings a decade of invaluable experience in the field of IT recruitment, catering to diverse and niche IT roles. With adeptness in team management, she has led successful recruitment teams. She guides her team in effectively sourcing, tailoring recruitment strategies, and connecting top-tier IT professionals with optimal career opportunities nationwide.

Her extensive background in business development and client relations has not only led to the acquisition of new accounts that have expanded over time but also positioned her as a trusted partner for numerous clients.

Ezalyn Caberto

MANAGING DIRECTOR - OFFSHORE RPO

Eza is an accomplished RPO leader. She has a proven experience in building and leading high-performance recruitment teams.

Eza is also experienced and active in offshore RPO's management, recruiting, and consulting aspects. She has implemented several successful offshore recruiting accounts that have grown over time.

Eza is also a successful mentor who has produced budding leaders in her field. As a mentor, she has a strong focus on supporting emerging millennial team players.

Candy Poblete

HR MANAGER

Candy has been an HR Practitioner for 10 years. Her extensive experience in managing end-to-end HR facets came from various industries. She’s a champion in handling employee relations and labor relations. As a strategic thinker, she is adept at aligning HR policies and practices with the company’s goals and objectives, safeguarding the organization from legal complications, and providing employees with a secure and fair environment.

Anna Katrina Roa

VICE PRESIDENT OF FINANCE AND ACCOUNTING

Katrina, a De La Salle University graduate with a BSC in Accounting, plays a vital role in maintaining the company's financial health. She generates reports, manages budgets, and oversees the accounting department.

With over two (2) decades of experience in the recruitment industry, she is well-versed in its financial dynamics. Her expertise allows her to adeptly address the unique financial needs of recruitment businesses, making her an invaluable asset to the organization.

Jimmy P. Roa

CEO AND CHIEF RECRUITMENT OFFICER

Jimmy is a business executive in the field of BPO, RPO, IT Staffing, Technical Recruiting, Virtual Recruiting, Remote Staffing, and CAD Outsourcing. Having been involved in these industries for the past 30 years, Jimmy knows what works and what doesn’t. Aside from being the CEO of Sysgen RPO, he is also CEO of Sysgen – an IT Staffing firm which he founded in 1991.

Keen to working with clients who are willing to practice the “One-team Concept”, Jimmy has been mainly responsible in growing the Sysgen Group to what it is now.

He believes that clients are partners and that a true alliance is essential in achieving overall goals of cost savings and process improvement.