Slow Isn’t the Only Warning Sign
Most hiring managers can spot a bad recruitment partner by how long a role stays open. But speed isn’t the whole story — a slow process with the right candidate at the end is far better than a fast one that leaves you back at square one in three months. The real warning signs are quieter: generic candidate briefs, recruiters who’ve never set foot in your office, and shortlists that feel copy-pasted from another client’s search.
If your current agency can’t tell you why a candidate is a good fit beyond their CV, or if you’re doing more vetting than they are, that’s a partnership problem, not a pipeline problem.
What a Good Partnership Looks Like
The right recruitment partner asks about your team’s working style before they ask about salary bands. They push back on unrealistic briefs instead of just filling the seat. And they stay in touch long after the placement, because they’re building a relationship, not closing a transaction.
