Posts tagged "staffing agncy"

6 Tips For Getting the Most Out of Using a Staffing Agency

The recruitment process is a long one and costly, even more so if you make a bad hire. More people are turning to staffing agencies to achieve their objectives. Staffing agencies help you find ideal candidates for specific positions with their access to large talent pools.

Small and large businesses are able to get more from using a staffing agency. Small companies going through an agency will have the same access to highly skilled candidates as large companies. Small companies often don’t have a recruitment team or HR department and can’t dedicate as much time to recruitment, so a staffing agency will provide additional support.

For bigger companies, a staffing agency can save time and money with its networks of skilled talent. A company may have to sift through hundreds of CVs and interviews in order to find their candidate, whereas a staffing agency has these candidates on hand.

You may feel like a staffing agency is an unnecessary expense. On the contrary, not only are you saving time and money, you will be able to invest your time in other areas and you reduce the risk of a bad hire.

Building long-term relationships

Aside from easing your recruitment and offering wise advice to improve your process, you are beginning a long-term relationship for recruitment and hiring with a company that knows and understands your needs and the type of candidate you are looking for.

When looking for temporary or seasonal hires, staffing agencies are the go-to solution, as many companies don’t want to hire full-time employees. It is also a popular way to cover permanent staff that is on medical leave, or when you need additional staff for a new project or busy period.

Most assume that staffing agencies only deal with short-term placements. In some cases, a short-term arrangement may begin with the potential to lead to long-term. While an employee is working on a short-term agreement, the employer gets the opportunity to see exactly how a person works, gaining insight as to whether they are a good fit, both in terms of skill and cultural fit.

Regardless of why you have chosen to use a staffing agency, apply the strategies below in order to maximize the benefits:

  1. Be direct about your needs

Where possible, let the staffing agency come and see your workplace. This will provide them with the clearest idea of how you work. Be honest about exactly what you need, including your timeframe for new hires.

When the staging agency knows what you require, they will be more able to advise you on whether to choose temporary, part-time, or full-time employees. Some staffing agencies will be able to provide information about flexible staffing strategies, allowing you to hire experts when only when you need them.

  1. Look for insider expertise

You should find a staffing agency that has hands-on experience in your field. If you are running an academy, who better to assist you in finding qualified staff then someone who has worked in the industry. Their knowledge will make it easier for you to find employees, as they know the qualities to look for in a good teacher. Candidates from a specialized staffing agency will often do a job faster, to a better standard and for a lower price than those from a general staffing agency.

  1. Improving your hiring process

Staffing agencies have numerous networks and contacts. This large reach of talent means you have the possibility of finding a highly qualified employee that may never have seen your job posting.

Not only this, but they are also responsible for aspects of the hiring process that take up a lot of your time. A staffing agency will carry out interviews, background checks, and skills testing. Because they do this day in day out, they will be able to do it far quicker than you would, mainly because you have many more responsibilities than just recruiting.

  1. Keep in touch

Communication with a staffing agency shouldn’t end when you have hired a new employee. You should stay in touch in order to keep the staffing agency informed of the success of the employee and to update them with any changes in your requirements. If you can provide feedback, the staffing agency will be better prepared to assist your company when you next need it.

  1. If things aren’t going the way you had hoped, do something

Staffing agencies have often worked with a candidate before, so they are aware of their abilities and personality. This helps them to match the most suitable candidate for your job opening. Not everything always goes the way we want it to and sometimes your candidate won’t work out. Before you do anything, decide if it was the candidate that wasn’t a good fit, or the agency you used.

If you feel that the staffing agency doesn’t handle a bad fit well, it might be time to seek out a new one.

  1. Use the agency resources

You will be paying for the staffing agency service, so you need to make the most of everything they have to offer. If an agency has training resources, use them. If you are too busy or feel that a staff member will benefit more, encourage them to use the training. Learning new skills is an excellent way to motivate staff and keep your team up to date in their field.

A new hire will often have new or different ideas that can be shared with your team. Take advantage of this. It doesn’t mean your team isn’t skilled. It is just a fresh look or new solutions. If you have used a staffing agency to hire the most qualified candidate possible, you want to make sure you are tapping into al of their knowledge.

There are a number of benefits to using a staffing agency but to maximize them all, start off by building a solid relationship with your person of contact. Ensure they know exactly what you need so that they can save you time and money while providing you with the ideal candidate.