What is direct hire recruiting for a small business?
Direct hire recruiting is a search for a permanent, full-time employee. A recruiter finds, screens and presents candidates, and you hire the one you pick. For a small business, it removes weeks of sourcing and interviewing from a calendar that is already full.
Filling an open role can take months once you add sourcing, screening and onboarding. As a business owner, you know that finding the right talent is crucial for growth. You also know it is time-consuming and expensive. We specialize in recruiting essential full-time support and operational roles, and we handle the entire search so you can run your company.
Our glossary explains direct hire and direct hire vs. staffing agency in plain terms.
How does Method Matching work for full-time hires?
Method Matching for full-time hires is the same framework we use to place virtual assistants and bookkeepers. We match on competency and chemistry: skill set, personality, culture and capacity. A person makes the match, not an algorithm. It is proven through years of fractional support placements.
We start with your team, your culture and what the role must achieve, then look for the person who fits all of it. If you want the full framework, read how Method Matching works.
How does the Peachtree VA recruiting process work?
Our recruiting process has five steps: discovery and needs assessment, market research and job development, strategic sourcing, rigorous screening and vetting, and final selection support. We present the top candidates and your team makes the final hiring decision.
- Discovery and needs assessment. Short introductory calls help us understand the position, your team dynamics, your company culture and your must-have criteria.
- Market research and job development. We craft a targeted job description and suggest competitive salary ranges based on market insights.
- Strategic sourcing. We actively headhunt top talent through targeted outreach and our network. We use both passive and active sourcing to find the right fit.
- Rigorous screening and vetting. We review applications, run in-depth interviews, and complete thorough background and reference checks. You get clear feedback to help you assess each candidate.
- Final selection support. We present the top candidates, and your team makes the final hiring decision. We then present the hiring offer to the chosen candidate and ensure a smooth handoff.
Our Director of Talent Acquisition, Krista Hernandez, works with you on the search.
What is the difference between active and passive sourcing?
Active sourcing reaches candidates who are looking for a job. Passive sourcing reaches strong candidates who are not job hunting but would consider the right role. We use both, plus targeted outreach and our own network. That widens the pool beyond the people who answer a job post.
Read our glossary entry on talent sourcing for more.
How long does a search take, and how many days will I save?
Filling a role yourself takes an average of 42 days before you count recruiting costs and onboarding time. Our clients save an average of 42 days in vetting. Because we take on a limited number of searches each month, your role gets real attention.
We do not promise a fixed date to fill a role. Timing depends on the role, the market and your availability for interviews. Ask about timing for your role on your free consultation.
What does the offer step look like?
Once your team picks a finalist, we present the hiring offer to the chosen candidate and ensure a smooth handoff. Your team conducts the final interviews and makes the hiring decision. We stay involved through the offer so the start of the relationship goes well.
Christine Clapp’s experience shows how this works in practice. Her team handled the final interviews. Our recruiter prepared them with recordings of the initial interview, references and summaries. You see what we saw, so your decision rests on the same information we used.
How do I know a candidate has been vetted?
Every shortlist reflects in-depth interviews plus thorough background and reference checks. You also get clear feedback on each candidate, including frank views of the pros and cons. The same standard applies to the virtual assistants and bookkeepers we place: multi-stage interviews, skills assessments, background checks and an NDA.
Candidates are U.S.-based. The search runs on your needs, so the first step is to describe the role, team dynamics, company culture and must-have criteria.
Which roles does Peachtree VA recruit?
We fill administrative, operations, client support, finance, marketing and human resources roles. Examples include executive assistant, office manager, operations manager and bookkeeper. The table lists the roles we publish.
| Group | Roles |
|---|---|
| Administrative and operations | Executive Assistant, Senior Executive Assistant, Chief of Staff, Office Manager, Operations Manager, Project Manager |
| Client and support | Customer Service Representative, Account Manager or Client Success Manager |
| Finance | Accountant or Bookkeeper, Controller, Director of Finance |
| Marketing | Social Media Manager, Marketing Manager, Digital Marketing Specialist, Content Manager |
| Human resources | HR Generalist, Recruiter or Talent Acquisition |
If you are hiring an executive assistant, our guide on how to hire an executive assistant and the job description template can help you prepare.
How is Peachtree VA different from commission-based recruiters?
Most recruiting firms are commission-based and focus on filling a role quickly, then moving on to the next placement. We have been recruiting and placing executive virtual assistants and bookkeepers for years. A dedicated talent acquisition team works only to understand your business, your role and your goals.
Our model is a more cost-effective option than traditional agencies, without sacrificing quality or care. We do not publish a fee, so ask about pricing on your free consultation.
What do clients say about working with the recruiting team?
Clients praise the quality of candidates, the screening and the honest conversations. Todd Stanton, Founder of Stanton Law, says: “We cannot overstate how pleased we are with the quality of candidates, the multi-layers of screening and vetting, the frank discussions about pros and cons of each candidate, and the willingness to keep hunting until we felt we had our manager.”
Christine Clapp, Founder of Spoken with Authority, first used us for retainer-based VA services. When she hired a new full-time team member, she says we “handled everything from refining our job posting to checking references through to the offer letter, with the exception of final interviews.”
Should I start with a fractional hire first?
You can. A virtual assistant starts at 25 hours a month on a month-to-month agreement and can show you what support you need. Direct hire is the right call when the role needs a permanent team member in your business. Both use the same matching approach.
Not sure where to start? Our VA services page covers fractional support, and our bookkeeping page covers finance. Tell us what you need on the call, and we point you to the right option.
Next step
Book a free strategy call and tell us about the role. We take a limited number of searches each month, so reach out early.
Frequently asked questions
What is direct hire recruiting?
Direct hire recruiting places a permanent, full-time employee on your payroll. A recruiter sources, screens and presents candidates. You make the hiring decision. Peachtree VA handles the search for roles such as executive assistant, office manager, operations manager and bookkeeper.
How does Peachtree VA recruiting work?
There are five steps: discovery and needs assessment, market research and job development, strategic sourcing, rigorous screening and vetting, and final selection support. We present the top candidates, your team makes the final decision, and we present the offer to the chosen candidate.
How long does it take to fill a role?
Filling a role yourself takes an average of 42 days before you count recruiting costs and onboarding time. Clients save an average of 42 days in vetting with us. We take a limited number of searches each month so each role gets attention. Ask about timing for your role on the call.
How is Peachtree VA different from commission-based firms?
Most recruiting firms are commission-based and focus on filling a role quickly, then moving on. We have a dedicated talent acquisition team and use Method Matching. We offer a more cost-effective option than traditional agencies without sacrificing quality or care.
What roles does Peachtree VA recruit?
We fill administrative and operations roles, client and support roles, finance roles, marketing roles and human resources roles. Examples include executive assistant, office manager, operations manager, customer service representative, bookkeeper, controller, marketing manager and recruiter.
Can I start with a virtual assistant before a full-time hire?
Yes. Some clients start with retainer-based VA services and later turn to us for a full-time hire. A VA gives you flexible hours from 25 hours a month, month to month. Direct hire gives you a permanent team member. Talk to us about which fits first.
