6 Questions to Ask Your Engineering Recruitment Partner

Choosing the right engineering recruitment partner is a critical decision for any company. The right agency can help you find top talent quickly, while a poor choice can lead to delays and poor hires. To ensure you make the right decision, here are six key questions you should ask any potential recruitment partner.

1. What Is Your Process for Sourcing Candidates?

Understanding how a recruitment agency sources candidates is essential. A good agency should have an active pool of pre-screened, job-ready candidates, as well as a solid process for finding passive talent. Ask the agency how they attract, engage, and vet candidates before presenting them to you.

2. How Do You Assess Candidates' Technical Skills?

Engineering design roles require highly specialized skills. Whether you’re hiring for CATIA, SolidWorks, or Creo, a good agency should be able to provide candidates with the right technical expertise. Ask how they assess candidates’ skills, whether through technical tests, portfolio reviews, or interviews.

3. Can You Provide Case Studies or Testimonials?

Seeing real-world examples of successful placements can help you gauge the agency’s capability. Ask for case studies or testimonials from similar companies to understand their track record in placing candidates for design engineering roles.

4. What Is Your Time-to-Fill for Similar Roles?

Speed is crucial when filling engineering design positions. Ask the agency about their average time-to-fill for similar roles to ensure they can meet your timeline. A good agency will have processes in place to quickly identify and place top candidates.

5. How Do You Ensure a Good Cultural Fit?

It’s not just about technical skills—cultural fit is also crucial. Ask how the agency ensures candidates align with your company’s culture and values. A specialist agency should take the time to understand your team dynamics and work environment.

6. What Is Your Fee Structure?

While not the most glamorous question, understanding the agency’s fee structure is essential to avoid any surprises later. Make sure you know whether the agency charges a flat fee, a percentage of the annual salary, or other payment structures.