According to the American Staffing Association, about 3 million temporary employees go to work in the United States each day. Reports also show that 35% of companies have used a staffing agency to help them hire permanent employees or temporary employees in the last 2 years.
Do you think we’re done dealing with economic uncertainty and fluctuations in workflow? Me neither. But with more than 6,000 staffing agencies in the United States alone, how do you even begin to find the right staffing partner? After a decade of research and more than a million survey responses, your search has been boiled down to seven key questions you need potential partners to answer. Get answers to these questions and the daunting task of hiring a staffing agency becomes much simpler.
What makes your agency an expert in hiring in my industry? We all know that effectively filling positions by skill set and cultural fit are vital in the needs of staffing but are there any other concerns that should be held higher in the grand scheme of things? Maybe. Is the staffing agency familiar with the local market? Is the staffing agency in attendance regularly at events relatable to the industry? Has the agency ever staffed for a competitor of yours? If it isn’t one of the key contributors to your industry, find an agency that is and partner with it instead.
How can I measure your overall client satisfaction with what your most recent client has to say about your service? One of the more obvious red flags when finding a staffing firm is finding out what the client satisfaction grading is. Ask staffing agencies to provide you with their most recent client satisfaction score and how they compare to competitors. Don’t just accept three client testimonials from the staffing agency—anyone can find three people who love them. Dig deeper! If released, request a client review from each client the staffing agency has on record.
What was your turnover rate for internal staff last year? Find an agency that retains its internal staff long-term. This way you can build a long-lasting relationship with not only the agency but the agency’s account manager and recruiter assigned to your company. This will almost assure you that the representation you’re dealing with, actually knows your company and the industry in which your company hopes to be successful in. This is tough to accomplish if recruiters and account managers at the agency are always changing. A report by CareerBuilder found 32 percent of staffing agency clients had a different contact last year compared to the year before at their primary staffing agency. The best agencies should have an internal turnover of less than the most recent industry average of 21 percent.
What is your most recent satisfaction score for your permanent and temporary placed talent? A staffing agency with happy people working for them is invaluable. When employees working for you are dissatisfied, they are more than likely to find a new job or go to a new staffing agency. Gauge the satisfaction of permanent and temporary employees currently working for a staffing agency by viewing testimonials, reviews, and satisfaction scores.
In part two, find out the other questions you should ask before hiring a staffing firm. Then, contact us today to get started. We have an amazing Job Search page that makes it easy to both share and find open positions. You can learn more about our staffing services here. We look forward to hearing from you soon!
