Don’t Be Blindsided When Selecting A Staffing Agency!
As an employer, you may have been approached by a staffing agency and really didn’t know what they do. Well, we are here to provide some quick facts to educate you. We will also provide some insights that will help you make the determination if you need their services. If you decide to use a staffing agency, we offer some high-level tips to guide you in making your selection.
The ABCs Of A Staffing Agency
Let’s begin with the basics! You may have heard a bunch of different terms associated with a staffing agency – search company, employment agency, recruiting or staffing firm or service. They all mean the same! For the purpose of this article, we will use the term: staffing agency.
A staffing agency is an organization that companies use to help them find the right candidate for their vacant role(s). Once you enlist their services, they will do all the work – sourcing, screening, and interviewing best-fit candidates – and present their top talent. You then make the final hiring decision and don’t pay a fee until your chosen candidate accepts your offer and begins working.
Sounds easy enough but you need to know more! Read on for some tips!
Not All Staffing Agencies Are The Same
Before jumping in, you need to test the waters! There are several staffing agencies servicing the greater NY Metropolitan area and you need to do your research. Determine if they are a generalist or a specialist staffing agency. Do their recruiters work across various business sectors or do they only target specific industries?
Check out several companies and ask each of them for references. How long have their recruiters been with the existing staffing agency? Ask questions and learn about the recruiter’s experience. You will also want to find out about fees and what happens if the placement does not live up to expectations.
Find Out What Techniques They Use to Find Candidates
Do the recruiters have a database with an abundance of job seekers from various industry sectors looking for different type of job placement (e.g., temporary, direct hire, etc.)?
Do the recruiters use both passive and active techniques? Are the recruiters’ social media savvy and do they use it to find candidates?
It’s important to have a solid understanding of the approach that the recruiters use to ensure it aligns with your needs.
Know Before You Sign!
In conclusion, you need to do your research and ask the right questions of the staffing agency before using their services. The right staffing agency can be a major asset for your company – saving time and money in locating the right candidate for the position and your company’s culture.
