And why working with the right agency should make your life easier – not harder
Recruitment is supposed to save you time.
It’s supposed to reduce the noise, not add to it.
But if you’re constantly chasing updates, screening unsuitable CVs, and explaining the same brief for the third time – your agency isn’t helping. They’re slowing you down.
Here are five clear signs your current recruitment partner is wasting your time.
They focus on volume instead of alignment
If you’re receiving endless CVs within hours of briefing a role, you’re not being prioritised – you’re being processed.
Real shortlisting takes time. It requires:
– Understanding what the role actually needs
– Matching more than just keywords
– Thinking beyond who’s “available now”
The best agencies don’t send more — they send better.
Because if you’re reviewing ten CVs and none are usable, the problem isn’t the candidate market. It’s your supplier.
They disappear once they have the job on
Plenty of agencies are quick to call when a role is released. But once it’s live? Silence.
No update.
No questions.
No context.
You shouldn’t have to ask for progress.
You shouldn’t be wondering if they’re still working the role.
Good agencies communicate even when there’s nothing to report.
Not because they’re over-servicing — because that’s the minimum standard.
They never ask why past placements didn’t work
If your agency doesn’t ask what’s gone wrong before, they’re not trying to get it right now.
We always ask:
– Why has the role come up?
– What kind of hires didn’t work out — and why?
– What would make someone stay this time?
If those conversations aren’t happening, your agency is flying blind. And they’re sending you candidates without knowing what you actually need.
They can’t tell you why they’re sending someone
Every CV you receive should come with a reason.
Not just “they’ve done this before,” but:
– Why this person fits your environment
– What stood out during screening
– How they were briefed and what they’re expecting
If there’s no context, it’s not a recommendation. It’s admin.
You shouldn’t have to dig for the logic behind a submission.
You should know the ‘why’ before you even open the CV.
You’re doing more chasing than choosing
This is the biggest red flag.
If you’re the one:
– Following up
– Asking where things stand
– Re-explaining your values or process
…then you’re not working with a recruitment partner.
You’re doing the legwork for a supplier who isn’t showing up properly.
A good agency owns the process.
They don’t need to be chased — they stay ahead of it.
What working with the right agency actually feels like
It’s calm.
It’s focused.
It’s collaborative.
And it’s fast — but never rushed.
That’s how we work at Harris Lee.
We don’t flood your inbox.
We don’t disappear once the role is released.
We don’t just send whoever’s available and hope it sticks.
We ask better questions. We move quickly — and we deliver with intent.
Because recruitment isn’t just about who you hire.
It’s about how easy it was to get there.
