Ask HN: Agency vs. internal recruiters?

  • Outside agency, with true domain expertise.

    Typically found the best work on an mixed upfront fee, with a success-fee incentive arrangement due upon completing the hiring process.

    Agency guys eat what they kill, they hustle. Internal guys (often HR Flunkies) lack business acumen and drive for results.

  • It helps to try to understand the recruiters business model. How is this person getting paid and what are their motivation to continue the relationship with you.

  • Internal - always, they have much more 'skin' in the game, and i've found typically have more motivation than some outside firm.