How to Select
a Staffing Firm
In today's rapidly
changing business climate, efficiency and effectiveness are crucial
to your organization's survival. This means you must have the right
person for the job—any job—whether that job is temporary
or permanent. America's staffing companies can help you
find the best talent—for any job—when you need it.
Today's staffing
employee might be a highly trained nurse at one of our nation's
finest hospitals, or a lawyer researching a big case. He could be
a skilled technician, engineer, project manager, or scientist. She
could be a truck driver, administrative assistant, medical technician,
accountant, or architect. And he or she could be an interim CEO
or CFO for a company in transition.
Staffing firms
nationwide collectively employ an average of 2.6 million workers
daily across all industries, providing work force flexibility and
access to talent to businesses like yours. They also offer competitive
wages and benefits to attract the best talent, and provide free
training to millions of temporary, contract, and permanent employees
each year.
How do you,
as a business owner or executive, stand to gain? According to
a major survey conducted for the American Staffing Association,
companies use staffing employees for two principal reasons: flexibility
and access to talent.
You'll Profit
From Work Force Flexibility
Nine out of 10
business customers rated flexibility as an important reason to use
staffing companies, saying it keeps them fully staffed during busy
times. Whether it's a temporary job lasting a few hours or several
years—or a permanent job placement—America's staffing companies
allow businesses to adjust their work forces to meet their ever-changing
needs.
There are three main types of job placements in the staffing industry:
- Temporary
or contract, where you add a staffing employee on an interim
basis
- Temp-to-perm
or temp-to-hire, where you add a staffing employee until you're
sure a spike in business will sustain itself or you want to make
sure you have the right candidate for the job—if so, he or
she becomes your employee
- Direct
hire or permanent, where you tell the staffing firm what you're
looking for, it selects candidates for interviews, and you hire
the best one
You'll Enjoy
Access to First-Class Talent
A staffing company
not only offers you work force flexibility—it can provide you
with specialized skills for a particular project. If you need a lawyer
specializing in tax law, for example, a few calls to staffing firms
in your area may fill your need. In addition, these firms can serve
as deep recruitment pools for your permanent hiring. In fact, eight
in 10 business customers say that staffing companies are a good way
to find potential permanent employees—and industry research indicates
that three out of four customers rank the quality of the employees
they get from staffing firms as good as or better than their
own employees.
You'll Save Time, Money, and Worry
Consider this scenario: You've just realized you need to comply with
the Sarbanes–Oxley Act, a recently enacted law requiring businesses
to adhere to strict accounting practices. What do you do? You can
develop compliance solutions yourself and hope they work. But if not,
what then? Hire consultants or contract the work out at a significant
expense? Remember, this expense is in addition to the man-hours already
invested in the project.
Why not reach out to a staffing firm and bring in senior accountants
and auditing specialists specifically to manage compliance with
this law? Since these accountants have already been working on Sarbanes–Oxley,
they know the new law from top to bottom. Time and resources are
not wasted on false starts or missteps. And you might gain
some valuable new permanent employees.
Determine the Type of Staffing Help You Need
OK, you've decided to use a staffing company. First, you need to choose
a staffing firm that specializes in your industry or type of operation.
Figure out if you need staffing employees for a one-shot deal, a long-term
assignment, or a permanent job placement. Also, if it's a permanent
position—or likely to become one—find out if the company
will let you submit interview questions for job applications and participate
in the selection process.
Shop Around
There are thousands of staffing firms out there, from small operations
to large multinational firms. Use the Internet to visit various Web
sites. Check out several companies and ask for references. Ask about
their fees; the turnover rate among account executives, office staff,
and staffing employees. Make sure the firm will visit your premises
to get a feel for your corporate culture, meet supervisors face to
face, and learn details about the jobs that need filling. If you're
staffing a major project or function, expect a thorough review and
presentation.
Also, find out if the staffing firm is an ASA member. These members
represent 15,000 offices and branches nationwide, have agreed to
conform to the industry's highest standards, and are up-to-date
on all the latest human resources developments and trends. Find
a Staffing Company will help you select an ASA member that offers
the services and skills you need.
How Was Your First Interaction With the Companies You Contacted?
Their Web sites should be informative, up-to-date, and easy to use.
Telephone or e-mail the companies to get your first clue as to their
business styles. Remember, staffing firms are employers. Their management
practices greatly affect the quality of the employees who come into
your offices—on a temporary or permanent basis. Staffing firms
recruit, hire, and train their staff, so make sure you are dealing
with a professional, capable organization.
How Well Run Is the Organization?
This will reflect the quality of help you receive. Ask how long the
company has been in business in your area. Call references. Ask how
satisfied they were with the employees at the staffing company as
well as with the workers assigned to their organization, whether temporary
or permanent.
How Does the Company Recruit and Retain its Qualified and Reliable
Work Force?
Get details. See ads. To what extent are its techniques passive or
active? What kind of a database does it maintain? For temporary and
contract positions, consider whether the firm's compensation and benefits
are competitive to attract the type of workers you need. A more complete
benefits package often attracts a better-quality worker. Also, ask
about the firm's turnover rates.
How Are Potential Staffing Company Employees Screened and Tested?
Many staffing companies give their employees initial "skills tests."
Some provide specific skills training, such as software tutorials
in PowerPoint, Word, and Excel, and educate them on how to behave
at businesses such as yours. This will help you greatly in determining
the "quality" of worker you receive. In addition to skills testing,
find out if the staffing firm conducts background checks and drug
tests.
Does the Company Fully Understand Your Needs?
Get the most appropriate temporary or permanent person for the position.
Make sure the company has an extensive database of available workers.
This will help you get the right person for the job in a timely manner.
If you need several jobs filled, ask the firm to help you determine
the number of employees you should bring on board. Also, find out
how to reach the company after regular business hours in case of an
emergency.
Remember
The critical element in your relationship with a staffing firm is
the quality of temporary employees and job candidates you receive.
Reliance on a reputable and capable staffing company can be an important
management tool for your business. A little investigation and observation
beforehand can save you time and money and result in a long-lasting
business relationship. |
