For employers, there are many benefits to using the services of a recruitment agency. A good recruiter can help you hire faster and better, while saving you time, money and resources. But how do you choose the right one? Here are five factors that Toronto recruiters recommend you keep in mind when evaluating potential agency partners.

1. Type of recruitment agency

There are many different types of recruitment firms. Some are generalists, taking on clients in any area of business, while others specialize in specific areas of business. Yet others are micro-specialists, focusing on niche business segments. One type is not necessarily better than another. It all depends on your particular needs as an employer. Be sure that you have thought through the type of service you require before making your selection.

2. Experience

Once you’ve identified a recruitment agency that is the right type for your needs, a good place to start the assessment process is by inquiring how long the agency has been in business. Generally, the longer, the better. That’s because the agency will have a proven track record that you can review. Plus recruitment agencies that have survived in business for a number of years will have encountered and learned from a range of different economic conditions, and this experience can benefit you. It’s also important to know who in the agency will work on your account and what their level of experience is.

3. Client Service

Find an agency partner that values client needs. During the time that you are evaluating a prospective agency, communication should always be good, and you should never feel abandoned or uncertain. If you’re having difficulties reaching contacts at this stage of the relationship, you shouldn’t expect things to improve after you’ve become a client.

4. Recruitment strategies

You’ll want an recruitment agency that has a proven candidate screening process in place. Many recruiters require job seekers to take pre-screening tests and apply other verification steps to ensure they possess the skills they claim to have. A review of the agency’s screening strategies can give you a good insight into the quality of the work they would do for you. If the recruitment strategies don’t meet your expectations, don’t hesitate to move on.

5. Talent pipelines

You’re hiring a recruitment agency because you’re looking for help finding top talent. But an agency that simply searches the job boards for candidates is not going to deliver the best results. Often, the most qualified candidates are busy working and not keeping up with the job boards. To reach these individuals, you need to work with an agency that invests time and resources in building talent pipelines. To determine the quality of an agency’s talent pipeline, ask where the recruiters do their recruiting, how they screen their candidates and what their success rate is for long-term placements. If you like the answers, you may have found an agency that will be a good fit with your organization.