| A recruiting budget is a good-faith estimate of a | | | | to do if they're unwilling to provide this information is |
| project's difficulty, based on the specifications | | | | beyond the scope of this article and will be |
| provided. The more accurate and complete the | | | | addressed in a future newsletter.) Subtract the hours |
| specs, the more accurate the costs. To determine a | | | | used each day from the total pool. Go one step |
| recruiting price, recruiting shops rely on their | | | | further in your analysis and divide the number of |
| experience with similar projects, their intuition and | | | | recruits into the total hours used. You can easily |
| common sense. Many recruiters add a "little extra" to | | | | determine if, at this rate, you will have sufficient |
| cover unexpected labor and unforeseen problems. | | | | hours to complete the recruit. By monitoring your |
| But not all recruiting shops provide recruiting costs | | | | recruiting budget daily, you'll have time to react if |
| the same way. Many researchers assume that | | | | things aren't going as expected. |
| recruiting budgets include unlimited recruiting hours. | | | | Step 4: Avoid budget misunderstandings |
| Many researchers are unaware that different types | | | | Recruiting costs can be provided as a "cost per |
| of budgets exist. That is, until a recruiting shop asks | | | | recruit." That can lead research buyers to believe |
| for more money. But if you don't know how much of | | | | that, no matter what, each recruit will cost X number |
| your recruiting budget has been used, or how well it's | | | | of dollars. Although it's sensible to use "cost per |
| been managed, how do you know it's time to spend | | | | recruit" to compare prices, it doesn't tell the whole |
| more? | | | | story. For example: |
| To ensure that you get the respondents you're | | | | - If recruiting was difficult, and only six respondents |
| expecting within the budget you've allotted, it pays | | | | were recruited per group instead of the eight that |
| to know what your dollar buys. There are two types | | | | were asked for, don't expect to only be charged for |
| of recruiting budgets: | | | | six. You may be charged for all eight. |
| 1. Unlimited recruiting hours. The recruiting price you | | | | - Or, let's say two of ten people are scheduled. That |
| are quoted is the price you will pay, regardless of the | | | | doesn't mean there is enough budget to recruit eight |
| project's difficulty. | | | | more. Depending on how many hours were used to |
| 2. Fixed number of recruiting hours. Your recruiting | | | | recruit the two people, you may not have enough |
| budget buys a predetermined "block" of hours. | | | | budget to continue. The time it takes to recruit one |
| Regardless of the type of budget quoted, our | | | | person, or the recruit-per-hour, usually determines the |
| suggestion is that researchers should always | | | | remaining budget. |
| approach recruiting budgets as though there are a | | | | The point is this. A recruiting budget is not a |
| fixed number of recruiting hours. Here's how to do it, | | | | guarantee that a project is doable. Many recruiting |
| and why. | | | | shops will charge you for the time invested to |
| Step 1: Remember that recruiting budgets are | | | | recruit, regardless of the number of respondents |
| exhaustible | | | | scheduled or interviewed. |
| The clock is always running. There is always a limit to | | | | Step 5: Avoid budgeting mistakes |
| the amount of work your budget buys. Even when | | | | Here are some tips to help you avoid budgeting |
| your recruiting budget is quoted as "unlimited hours," | | | | mistakes: |
| recruiting shops may ask for more money when the | | | | - Be cautious of recruiters who give prices merely to |
| incidence is significantly lower than anticipated, or | | | | be comparable with other suppliers. Firms like these |
| when they're asked to perform tasks that weren't | | | | may be planning to ask for more money--or |
| covered in their bid. | | | | relaxations to the specs--once the project is |
| Step 2: Determine the pool of recruiting hours | | | | underway. |
| The next step to avoiding recruiting budget mistakes | | | | - Welcome recruiters who discuss problem areas with |
| is to determine how many hours your budget | | | | you before your project begins. They are an asset |
| includes. Divide the estimated recruiting budget by | | | | to you and your research. Look for these suppliers. |
| the supplier's hourly recruiting fee (you'll have to ask, | | | | Listen to their industry experience. |
| but figure on $35-$50 per hour depending on the | | | | - Don't be surprised if a recruiter declines your |
| market). Subtract about four hours per group of 12 | | | | project. First-rate recruiters aren't worried about |
| for confirmation activities--they're part of your | | | | declining a project that is beyond their capabilities. |
| budget, too. What's left is the pool of recruiting hours | | | | Your satisfaction and their reputation are more |
| available for your project. | | | | important than making a quick buck. |
| Step 3: Keep track of the hours | | | | - If a supplier declines your project, ask why. Quality |
| Once you have established the amount of work your | | | | recruiting shops aren't afraid to be honest. They may |
| budget will support, keep close watch on the | | | | have doubts about your project that you should |
| recruiting hours. Ask the recruiting firm to include in | | | | know about. |
| their daily reports the number of hours used. (What | | | | |