12 questions to ask a recruiting agency before you sign

Every agency pitch promises the same three things: speed, quality, and a magical network. The way through the sameness is a fixed question set asked of every contender, with answers in writing. Here are the twelve we would ask.

Process questions

One: walk me through your last search for a role like this one, start to finish. Two: how many candidates will you contact directly, and where do they come from beyond job boards? Three: what screening happens before I see a shortlist, and is fit assessed with anything more rigorous than a chat? Four: who exactly works my search, the person pitching me or a junior I have not met?

Outcome questions

Five: what is your average time from kickoff to signed offer for comparable roles? Six: of your placements from two years ago, how many are still in seat? Seven: what is your shortlist-to-offer ratio? Eight: can I speak to two clients with similar-stage companies?

Commercial questions

Nine: what is the fee, on what definition of comp, due when? Ten: what does the replacement guarantee cover, for how long, and what voids it? Eleven: what is included in the fee versus billed separately, including any assessment tools? Twelve: if the search stalls, what changes, and when do we call it?

How to read the answers

Specific numbers and named mechanisms are the tell of a real system; adjectives are the tell of a pitch deck. An agency that tracks retention will answer question six instantly. One that sells screening as an add-on has told you what they think screening is worth. And any hesitation on question twelve means the exit was never designed, which is precisely when you will need it.

Ask us the same twelve. Book a demo and we will answer all of them on the first call, in writing, against your open role.