How to choose a recruitment agency in India: a checklist for employers
Choose an Indian recruitment agency that holds a current licence from the Ministry of External Affairs, which you can check on the Government of India's eMigrate portal, has a verifiable track record with employers in your country, tests and verifies candidates before you interview them, and offers clear terms: when its fee is invoiced, which costs it bears, and how it replaces a worker who does not work out.
1. A current government licence
Only agencies registered with India’s Ministry of External Affairs may recruit Indian workers for employers abroad. Ask for the registration number and check it against the list of recruiting agents on the eMigrate portal. A licensed agency puts its number on its letterhead and website. Ours is B-0770/KER/COM/1000+/3/3589/93, and we are also ISO 9001:2015 certified.
2. A track record you can check
Ask which employers in your country and industry the agency has recruited for, and for references you can call. Letters of appreciation from clients are good evidence; so is how long clients stay. Some of our clients have worked with us for more than thirty years, and you can read their letters of appreciation.
3. Real sourcing, not one advertisement
India is multi-regional and multilingual. An agency that only advertises in one or two newspapers will not reach the best candidates, many of whom are employed and not looking. Ask how it sources: a candidate data bank, advertising across channels, and head-hunting through people on the ground in India’s major cities and industrial regions.
4. Testing and verification before you interview
The shortlist should already have passed aptitude and trade tests and background checks on identity, employment history, education and references. Ask to see a sample trade test, and ask whether you or a third-party inspector can witness it.
5. Clear, written terms
- How the service fee is set, and when it is invoiced. Ours is agreed one-to-one with each employer and invoiced only after the worker has arrived and joined you.
- Which costs the agency bears. We bear the cost of advertising across all channels and of head-hunting.
- A replacement guarantee. We replace a worker who resigns, is terminated or is found unsuitable within three months, within 60 days and with no sourcing fee.
- Regular progress reports while the process runs.
6. Full processing and preparation
A good agency handles the whole process in India: medicals, visa endorsement, emigration clearance through eMigrate, travel arrangements and pre-departure orientation on the culture, laws and customs of your country. Orientation is what helps new workers settle and stay.
7. Visit, or meet the team
Visit the agency’s office if you can, or meet the consultants who will handle your account by video. Ask who will interview and shortlist, and how experienced they are. Our consultants are supported by a panel of thirty-two senior industry veterans who help with technical shortlisting and interviews.
InterManagement has recruited from India since 1970, deploying more than 90,000 candidates for over 2,000 clients. Send us your requirement, or read the employer FAQ.
Hiring from India? Send us your requirement and a consultant responds within one business day.