7 Red Flags to Watch for When Evaluating an IT Recruitment Partner

After placing 800+ engineers globally, we've seen what good recruitment looks like — and what it doesn't. If you're evaluating a staffing partner for your engineering org, here are the signals that should give you pause.

1. They Can't Explain Their Vetting Process

If a recruiter can't tell you exactly what technical validation they do beyond a resume review, your candidates aren't being vetted — they're being forwarded. Ask for a detailed breakdown of their technical screen and assessment methodology.

2. They Measure Success by Volume, Not Retention

Agencies optimizing for placement volume have misaligned incentives. Ask them for their 12-month retention rate. Industry average hovers around 70-75%. Anything below that is a red flag.

3. They Don't Ask About Your Stack

A recruiter who doesn't ask about your specific tech stack, team structure, and delivery process in the first conversation isn't sourcing for fit — they're sending CVs and hoping something sticks.

4. No Replacement Guarantee

Reputable agencies stand behind their placements with a replacement guarantee — typically 30 to 90 days. If a partner won't offer this, they're not confident in their own vetting.

5. They Can't Provide References from Similar Companies

Ask for references from clients at a similar stage, with similar stack requirements, in a similar geography. Generic testimonials mean nothing. Specific, verifiable references from relevant clients are the standard.

6. Time-to-First-Submission is Over 5 Days

Senior talent moves fast. If your recruitment partner is taking more than 5 business days to get you the first qualified profiles, their sourcing pipeline isn't built for speed.

7. They Can't Handle Compliance

If you're hiring internationally and your recruitment partner can't advise on contractor vs. employment classification, tax implications, or contract structure — they're not equipped for global talent operations.