The staffing industry continues to shift, and agency leaders who used to chase traditional metrics like time-to-fill and cost-per-hire to measure ROI are discovering those numbers don’t tell the whole story. The smartest agencies have already identified the metric that actually predicts success: quality of hire.

The numbers tell a clear story

The 2025 State of Staffing Benchmarking Report reveals a fundamental shift in how agencies measure success. When agencies evaluate ROI from their talent sources, 31% now rank quality of hire as their top metric. Cost-per-hire trails behind at 19%, and time-to-fill sits at 18%.

This represents more than a preference change — it’s a strategic revolution. Agencies are finally recognizing that filling a role quickly or cheaply means nothing if that person leaves within months. Quality placements create lasting value for both clients and agencies.

Ready to see the complete data behind these insights? Access the full 2025 State of Staffing Benchmarking Report to get the detailed breakdown of what’s working for top-performing agencies.

Fast-growth agencies have a different playbook

The agencies experiencing the fastest growth aren’t just discussing quality — they’re building their entire strategy around it. Their secret weapon turns out to be referrals, and the data backs up their approach.

The 2025 State of Staffing Benchmarking Report shows 71% of fast-growth agencies rate referrals as “extremely important” to their business. The results speak for themselves: 47% of fast-growth agencies report that referrals have the highest placement rate compared to any other source.

Referrals work because they come with built-in quality control. When someone refers a candidate, they’re essentially pre-qualifying them based on direct knowledge of their work style, capabilities, and professional track record. This natural screening process delivers higher-quality matches than any automated system.

Agencies still focused primarily on volume metrics are missing this strategic advantage. They’re filling positions instead of building lasting client partnerships.

The business case for quality

A quality hire transforms the client relationship. These candidates integrate smoothly into teams, contribute meaningfully from the start, and typically stay longer than average placements. This reduces the client’s ongoing recruitment costs while improving their operational efficiency.

The ripple effects extend far beyond the individual placement. Satisfied clients become long-term partners, provide repeat business, and generate referrals that fuel sustainable growth. In an increasingly competitive market, consistently delivering exceptional talent becomes the primary differentiator between successful agencies and everyone else.

How top performers execute on quality

Leading agencies achieve high quality of hire through a combination of strategic technology adoption and focused human expertise. They use AI and automation to identify better candidate matches and streamline administrative processes, which frees their recruiters to concentrate on relationship building and thorough candidate evaluation.

The most successful approach balances technological efficiency with human insight. Technology handles data processing and initial screening, while experienced recruiters focus on understanding the nuanced requirements of both clients and candidates to ensure optimal matches.

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