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Cut through RPO jargon: Tailored strategies to secure top talent

Cut through RPO jargon: Tailored strategies to secure top talent

Niamh McCarthy

Niamh McCarthy

4 mins read January 03, 2025

Cut through RPO jargon: Tailored strategies to secure top talent

Today’s talent landscape is more competitive than ever, with organisations struggling to secure skilled professionals, particularly in the digital space. Traditional recruitment models often fall short, which is where Recruitment Process Outsourcing (RPO) comes into play.

However, not all RPOs are created equal! Like many sectors, RPO providers often lapse into jargon which can make it tricky to clearly see what they are offering. And what they are offering may just be a “copy & paste” of what works best for the provider. At Morgan McKinley Talent Solutions, we focus on plain speaking and delivering the services each of our clients needs.

In this blog, we’ll explain

  • What is RPO?
  • How does RPO change the talent acquisition conversation?
  • Why choose a client-specific solution?
  • Challenges an RPO can solve
  • How RPO transforms your recruitment
  • What to consider when choosing an RPO

What is RPO?

RPO is a strategic solution designed to help organisations find top talent. The RPO partner should bring expertise into your team. They will adopt your existing processes and technology or recommend improvements after careful analysis. Think of RPO as a guest in your organisation's home—aligning perfectly with your culture and values, acting as an extension of your hiring team.

From identifying demand and supply challenges, to sourcing hard to find talent and onboarding candidates, RPOs are able to manage the entire recruitment process. At Morgan McKinley Talent Solutions, we don’t offer a one-size-fits-all solution. Instead, we tailor our service to your organisation’s unique challenges.

How does RPO change the talent acquisition conversation?

The TA leader is elevated to focus on managing the outcomes of the RPO provider rather than managing the day to day tasks of a team.

Conversations change to be focused on what the RPO provider is delivering typically:

  • conversion ratios (CV:Interview:Offer:Acceptance:Start)
  • salary compliance
  • time to hire
  • candidate experience
  • hiring manager experience
  • supply chain usage
  • quality of hire

Why choose a client specific solution?

Organisations focused on sustainable growth have several compelling reasons to consider RPO:

  1. Efficiency and scalability - RPO streamlines the recruitment process. It reduces administrative burdens, allowing your internal team to focus on other priorities. The process is scalable to adapt to evolving hiring demands.
  2. Candidate quality - proactivity enables the RPO to find best-fit permanent employees who align with your culture and long-term goals.
  3. Strategic insights - RPO facilitates long-term strategy development by providing valuable analytics and insights that shape future hiring plans.
  4. Expertise and consultation - Partnering with an RPO gives you access to experienced professionals who understand industry-specific recruitment strategies and possess deep knowledge of the wider talent market.
  5. Long-term talent strategy - RPO comes with a forward-thinking approach, helping your organisation build a talent pool that meets future growth needs.
  6. Customised solutions - Every Morgan McKinley RPO programme is designed to solve unique challenges—whether it’s addressing skill shortages, regional hiring difficulties, or other specific obstacles.

Challenges an RPO can solve

RPO solutions take on challenges your internal team might not have the capacity or expertise to handle. Here’s what RPO can solve:

  1. Transparency: A lack of transparency in traditional recruitment processes often frustrates hiring managers. RPO ensures consistent communication, keeping stakeholders informed and building trust.
  2. Hiring stagnation: Companies often hesitate to shed outdated recruitment methods, leading to stagnation. RPO revitalises the process, bringing measurable improvements and ensuring a steady pipeline of high-quality candidates.
  3. Market insight: RPO partners offer deep industry insights, enabling your organisation to remain competitive and discover new talent channels.

How RPO transforms your recruitment

The impact of RPO extends far beyond filling vacancies—it transforms your recruitment strategy at multiple levels. One significant advantage of RPO is its focus on data-driven decision-making. Providers continuously evaluate your recruitment practices using detailed reporting to inform improvements over time.

RPO also enhances efficiency by automating routine tasks, while combining human expertise to evaluate talent suitability and cultural fit. Additionally, RPO builds talent pools in anticipation of future recruitment needs, adopting a proactive approach to solve hiring challenges before they arise.

What to consider when choosing an RPO

When choosing an RPO, it’s important to evaluate your needs carefully, as not all RPO models are the same. Start by defining your challenges: What issues are holding back your hiring process?

Next, seek an RPO provider that offers tailored, customised solutions—ones that are agile and adapt to your organisation’s unique needs.

Lastly, maintain a long-term focus. Recruitment doesn’t end with a single successful hire, so ensure the RPO solution can evolve as your company grows and your recruitment needs change.

Why Morgan McKinley Talent Solutions

Choosing the right RPO partner isn’t just about filling vacancies—it’s about building a sustainable recruitment strategy. At Morgan McKinley, we offer the expertise, industry knowledge, and dedicated support to help you achieve your long-term talent acquisition goals.

Whether you’re looking to increase efficiency, gain market insights, or build a future-ready talent pool, our tailored RPO solutions are designed to meet your unique needs.

Ready for customised RPO solutions?

Speak with an expert at Morgan McKinley Talent Solutions today and unlock the potential of a tailored, future-ready solution designed for your specific needs.

Niamh McCarthy

Niamh McCarthy

Client Services Managing Director

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