Request references and check them carefully. The qualities you'll want to look for in recruiters are honesty and integrity, strong communication skills, attention to detail, and professional presence. There are three different levels of service offered by most recruiters. The first employee selection effort is conducted on a retained search basis, whereby you prepay one third of the estimated fee in advance. The retained recruiter assembles a search team to work on your assignment and identify, screen, and interview top candidates according to your specifications.
Expenses incurred are the responsibility of the retaining company.
Retained search is often the best approach to fill difficult positions or when the need is urgent. The second level involves a prepaid engagement fee, which is a portion of the anticipated fee. Recruiters guarantee a short list of candidates that meet your requirements within a specified time. The third level is the standard search on a contingency basis. Qualified candidates will be identified and presented to you at a mutually and generally acceptable, but convenient time.