Every employer knows that hiring the right staff is crucial to the success of their business. Every time you think about adding a member to your team, it’s a risk. The right person for the job can often rely upon so much more than academic qualifications or practical experience how will they fit with the existing set up? Will the dynamics change, and how do you know if you are right for them?
Whether a full time member or a temporary appointment, taking a considered approach to choosing staff can reduce costs and ensure you get the right person for the job. The right staffing agency will give you access to skilled, professional employees when you need them, so here are our top tips on guaranteeing you choose the best company for you.
Know What You Want and When you Want it
Try to have a clear idea of what it is you’re looking for. Staffing agencies will differ in many of their key factors, so once you determine your needs, you can match those to the offering of the agency to get the best fit.
Know the TYPE of candidate you are looking for.
Will the employee be on short or long term assignment? Will they work full time or part time? If there’s an opportunity for the position to become permanent, would you want to be a part of the interview process?
Be sure to consider if the position you are looking to fill is general or specialized.
Remember that larger networks will increase your odds at finding a match whereas specialist agencies tend to have more niche employees with a very specific skill-set. Consider benefits and services such as skills training, an ability to handle large volume requests and a good reputation within the industry.
How fast do you need a candidate?
Needing a new member or members of staff isn’t always something you can plan for and sometimes you just want to hire someone as quickly as possible. Larger employment agencies can usually handle this demand better, as they have a larger pool to draw from and more staff to dedicate to helping secure someone efficiently.
Ask Questions
You can’t be expected to know everything, and a good recruitment agency will know and understand that, so don’t be afraid to ask questions and evaluate their answers and any impressions you get from your interactions.
Ask for references!
Ask for references from previous customers; details about fees, are these competitive with other firms in the area; and find out whether a representative will visit your business in order to get a feel for how the company is run and can understand the needs of the available positions.
How do they qualify their candidates?
Many staffing agencies will skill test their employees and often provide training such as software instruction or general background checks. It’s worth finding out which companies do this and are happy to be transparent about their methods.
What qualities are they looking for specifically for your position?
You are working with a staffing expert at an agency, so ask them what they thing will be good qualifiers specific to your position. Top recruitment agencies will make sure their employees are business-ready so they can better integrate into a your working environment, essential for small businesses who often worry that a temp worker may not easily adjust to their business practices and time would be wasted training them.
Consider Benefits and Pricing
If a recruitment agency offers competitive benefits and compensation, then this be more attractive to a ‘better quality’ worker. This generally means you’ll pay more than you would for a less skilled worker so if you’re hiring in bulk or regularly then it may be worth your while asking if the agency can discount their rates; there may be room for negotiation.
In Summary
Hiring your own staff can be difficult. The process of posting a vacancy, interviewing and then training is time best spent running a business. A top staffing agency can take the stress and pressure off a difficult period, by finding you the right candidate(s) for the position.
Some business are put off using a recruitment agency because of the extra cost, but when you consider how much time is spent interviewing and processing paperwork, then it can be of far more benefit to let someone else who has the skill and knowledge, take the lead.
Remember to have a clear idea of what you want and need, this will help you find the right staffing agency for you and also help the agency to get the right person for your vacancy quickly and efficiently. Don’t be afraid to ask questions and find out how the company choose a worker for you and how they determine the candidates qualifications for the position. A top staffing agency will be happy to be transparent and help you along your way. Lastly, consider benefits and pricing; paying more for a skilled worker could save you time and effort in the long run, cheaper isn’t always better.
If you decide to use a staffing agency, Skyline Personnel is always happy to help answer any questions you may have. Based in Raleigh-Durham and partnering with North Carolina organizations, we take pride in matching talented staff with the right position. We have an excellent reputation and would love to hear from you to support you in finding the perfect placement. Please feel free to contact us via our Skyline Personnel website and see how we can help you.
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