Which of the following is a characteristic of an effective recruiting source?

• A. Finding people not actively looking for a job
• B. Faster or cheaper
• C. Better at acquiring high-quality people
• D. Generating professional hires

Answer: (C)

An effective recruiting source is defined by the quality of the candidates it yields. A source that consistently delivers high-quality people—those who perform well, fit the role and culture, and stay with the company—provides real value beyond just speed or cost. While being faster or cheaper can be attractive, these are not guarantees of long-term success or productivity. Passive recruiting or simply claiming to generate “professional hires” don’t inherently ensure quality or fit, which is why quality of hire is the best measure. So the best answer is that an effective source is characterized by its ability to acquire high-quality people.