Opting for an offline service introduces a much more hands-on approach to recruiting. Instead of using a database to match up resumes with job descriptions, an agent will physically sift through resumes and narrow your pool of applicants to just a handful of candidates to interview.

Not only will recruiting services look through resumes to find suitable candidates, some of them even consult their network of industry contacts to find people who are qualified to fill the position. Many times, the star players may not be actively looking for a job, but they are still open to considering better opportunities. They aren't looking in the newspaper or trade journal for a job, but chances are they'll be responsive to a recruiter who approaches them with news of an opportunity.

Recruiting firms, which are usually paid on a retainer basis, are generally paid about 30 percent of the candidate's first-year salary. The retainer fee is paid upfront. Contingency firms, however, which are compensated only when the position gets filled, are generally paid about 20 percent to 30 percent of the candidate's first-year salary.