HOW TO CHOOSE A STAFFING FIRM AS AN EMPLOYER

Just like job seekers must do their homework when they’re looking for a staffing firm to use, so should companies when they have positions they need to fill.
Not all staffing firms are alike, and you should find one that fits your specific needs. That means asking some questions at the outset of the process to determine those needs and also create a framework for conducting your search:

• What kind of workers do you need?
• On what kind of projects will they be working?
• Are you filling temp positions? Direct-hire positions? Contract-to-direct?

Once you’ve answered these questions in a satisfactory fashion, you’re ready to find the right staffing firm for your organization. Remember at the outset that your search should be guided by the same thing that guides the search of a job seeker: value.
You’re looking for a staffing agency that provides the most value, not necessarily the one that’s the cheapest. You want an agency that provides the most value because long-term value always overshadows short-term savings.
That value is exemplified in two main ways:

• The quality of the workers that the staffing firm provides
• The way in which the firm provides those workers

Let’s look at the first item, the quality of the candidates/workers that are provided by the staffing agency. Ideally, those candidates should undergo a pre-screening process that will qualify them for your company’s open positions. That process should include the following:

• Reference checking
• Background checking
• Drug screening
• Skills testing related to the job

However, that’s just the first part of the process. Candidates should also be required to participate in the following:

• Phone screen
• Face-to-face interview
• Safety training videos

Let’s move on to the second item, the way in which the staffing firm provides their candidates/workers. This includes the employees of the firm and what’s required of them.
The staffing specialists within the agency should be required to participate in ongoing education. The world of employment is always changing, and as a result, these specialists need to be current regarding rules, regulations, and standard procedures. These specialists should serve as a resource for your organization, able to answer any and all questions regarding what’s happening within the industry.
So while conducting your search for a staffing firm, make value a top priority and make sure that whichever agency you choose, it provides the most value possible for your organization.