After enough engagements, patterns emerge. Some staffing partners are transformative. Others are inbox-fillers. Here's how to tell which is which — fast.
Signs you've found a good one
- They push back on the JD before they source. (They've seen what works.)
- Every submittal includes a 2-line 'why we're sending this person' — not a CV dump.
- They tell you when a candidate isn't the right fit, even after spending time on them.
Signs to walk away
- High volume, low signal: you get 12 CVs and 11 are obviously off.
- They argue with your feedback or try to re-send rejected candidates.
- Communication goes dark when there's a problem.
The test
After a 30-minute intake call, ask them to tell you three things they noticed about your hiring process that they'd push back on. The answer tells you everything.