Choosing a Staffing Agency: Part I
Choosing a staffing service is an important decision for any company. The livelihood of a business is dependent on the employees who bring their skills, experiences, and personalities to the job every day. By partnering with a staffing service, a business is asking an outsider to handle the all-important task of choosing some of the people who contribute to the dynamic and the pace of the business environment. Although it can be a time-consuming process, investing the resources it takes to choose the staffing company that best fits your business will save you from the inefficiencies associated with a bad decision in the long run. The next couple of articles will offer tips to assist business owners and HR professionals navigate the process of choosing a staffing partner.
• Research and contact staffing services in your area. Collect brochures, and review what each has to offer. Then meet with at least two of the companies in person, and get a feel for the way they do business. Note the level of professionalism, and evaluate the services and attributes of each company. See if they’ve done their homework and if they present a solution tailored to your business’ unique needs.
• Ask for references. A reputable company will be able to provide a list of current customers who’ll discuss their experiences with the staffing service. When calling, ask about a problem the customer has brought to the staffing service and how it was resolved. It’s likely that every business relationship will encounter a few bumps in the road, and a service-oriented company will handle those issues quickly and professionally.
• Determine the level of service you need. Do you simply need extra help during a peak season, or do you envision that, down the road, you might delegate some training or direct-hire projects to the staffing service? Make sure your staffing partner has the capabilities to meet your current and future needs.
• Don’t make a decision based on price alone. Certainly it’s important to be budget conscious, but price isn’t indicative of the true cost associated with doing business. If you select the company that presents the lowest price but then spend days trying to reach someone about an order for employees, it’s possible the actual dollar savings you achieved will be outweighed by the time you waste in follow-up and lost production time.
Next month I’ll focus on geographical concerns, screening processes, recruiting capabilities, and community involvement. IBI
• Research and contact staffing services in your area. Collect brochures, and review what each has to offer. Then meet with at least two of the companies in person, and get a feel for the way they do business. Note the level of professionalism, and evaluate the services and attributes of each company. See if they’ve done their homework and if they present a solution tailored to your business’ unique needs.
• Ask for references. A reputable company will be able to provide a list of current customers who’ll discuss their experiences with the staffing service. When calling, ask about a problem the customer has brought to the staffing service and how it was resolved. It’s likely that every business relationship will encounter a few bumps in the road, and a service-oriented company will handle those issues quickly and professionally.
• Determine the level of service you need. Do you simply need extra help during a peak season, or do you envision that, down the road, you might delegate some training or direct-hire projects to the staffing service? Make sure your staffing partner has the capabilities to meet your current and future needs.
• Don’t make a decision based on price alone. Certainly it’s important to be budget conscious, but price isn’t indicative of the true cost associated with doing business. If you select the company that presents the lowest price but then spend days trying to reach someone about an order for employees, it’s possible the actual dollar savings you achieved will be outweighed by the time you waste in follow-up and lost production time.
Next month I’ll focus on geographical concerns, screening processes, recruiting capabilities, and community involvement. IBI