A HR recruiting firm offers a great way to help you fill vacant positions, while minimizing your effort, time and expense. In addition, using a HR recruiting firm can help you to fill much needed positions in a hurry, since the best agencies already have a pool of candidates vetted and available.

It is important, however, that you choose the right HR recruiting firm to help fill your positions. If your firm turns out to be unreliable, doesn’t understand your needs or can’t attract top talent, there is no benefit to using them. Here are some things you should look for in a recruiting firm.

1. History and Experience. Choose a firm that has been in business for several years. Longevity indicates an ability to satisfy clients and fill positions. Newer agencies will not have the established pool of talent to fill your position quickly.

2. Personalized Service – You should have a dedicated representative assigned to work with you on filling your position. This single point of contact should start by taking the time to fully understand the type of candidate you desire, and then be with you every step of the way until you’ve hired the right candidate.

3. A Thorough Candidate Vetting Process – One of the advantages to using a search firm is avoiding the hassle of having to vet every potential candidate yourself. Be certain that your recruiter’s process includes verifying education and experience as well as reference and background checks.

4. Specialization – It pays to choose a HR recruiting firm that specializes, especially if you are filling a key position in your organization. For example, if you are hiring a VP of Human Resources, choose a firm that specializes in recruiting HR executives. Choose an engineering firm to find the best engineers.

5. A Solid Reputation- The top industry talent will register with the agency with the best reputation. So, if you want the best available candidates to be considered for your position, you should choose the agency with the best reputation, too.

The right HR recruiting firm can make finding the perfect candidates so much easier. Their experts can hone in on the key requirements for your position and narrow the candidate list quickly. Once they have completed their vetting process, you should have just a few great candidates to interview and then make your final offer. This is how hiring should be!