Print pageHow to Choose a Staffing Partner
Ask the Right Questions to Ensure a Good Fit
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 everyday. 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. In order to make sure companies approach the selection of a staffing service properly, Manpower Inc. offers tips to assist business owners and HR professionals navigate the process of choosing a staffing partner.
- Research and contact at least three staffing services in your area. Collect brochures and review what each has to offer. Then meet in-person with at least two of the companies and get a feel for the way they do business. It’s important to note the level of professionalism displayed at these face-to-face meetings, in addition to evaluating 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.
- Determine if the staffing service’s geographic footprint is a good fit for your needs. If your company has offices in Detroit, Chicago and St. Louis that all utilize temporary staff, it is much more convenient to partner with one staffing company that has offices in each of those locations. If your business' temporary staffing needs are more local in nature, make sure the company is knowledgeable about the nuances of the local market.
- Make sure the staffing service you choose is financially established and committed to the community. Consider how many years the operation has been in business. Ask if they are involved in any local organizations such as the chamber of commerce or a business development group. Community participation is a sign that the company is invested in the local economy and working toward making the community a good place to do business now and in the future.
- Ask for references. A reputable company will be able to provide a list of current customers who will 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 and permanent placement projects to the staffing service? Make sure your staffing partner has the capabilities to meet your current and future needs.
- Find out how employees are matched to an assignment. It’s important that a staffing service take into account a person’s skills and personality when placing someone on assignment. This will ensure that both the employee and the customer have a satisfying, productive experience.
- Inquire about the company’s recruiting techniques. Ask if they use Internet, radio or newspaper. Consider if they have partnerships with social service agencies that have relationships with people seeking work. The wider the net is cast, the more likely the service is to quickly find the right person for the job. And if you have niche positions, determine if the staffing service has the capability to find a person with a less common skill set. Ask what their recruiting methods are on a local, regional and national level to see how well equipped they are to find the staff you need.
- Get a firm understanding of the employee screening process. Does the company check references? Does the company meet and interview every candidate in-person? A reputable company will verify the skills and experience an employee claims to have.
- Do not make a decision based on price alone. Certainly it’s important to be budget conscious, but price is not 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 that the actual dollar savings you achieved will be outweighed by the time you waste in follow-up and lost production time.
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