Five Critical Questions To Ask a Staffing Agency Before Working With One

When you bring a staffing agency on board, they become a partner to your organization. Like all other business partners, the goal is to enjoy a positive long-term relationship. After all, this employment agency will be responsible for bringing top talent that will help your business flourish. So, how do you choose the right partner?

Here are five questions to ask a staffing agency.

Questions To Ask a Staffing Agency To Land the Right Partner

1. Does your recruitment agency understand my company’s goals?

Every business has its distinct goals. Whatever the objective, the right staffing agency should be able to identify your company’s goals.

Keep in mind that staffing agencies don’t solely help you fill positions. They must understand the company culture to ensure whoever they shortlist will be a good fit.

2. Does your agency have a vast talent pool to support my staffing needs?

One thing that separates internal HR and recruitment agencies is the access to a vast pool of candidates. The right staffing partner should be able to offer on-demand talent from various industries. Also, if you’re a growing company, this firm should demonstrate its awareness of potential talent gaps to provide long-term value even as your company scales up.

3. Can your staffing agency meet my timelines?

Timeline delivery is one of the must-ask questions to a staffing agency. As an employer, talent shortages can occur abruptly. For instance, an employee may resign without giving notice, or another may need to take medical leave. For this reason, you’ll want to work with a staffing agency that can meet your timelines.

Generally, large firms have a broader talent reach. That said, this doesn’t mean you should dismiss smaller staffing agencies. Plus, even as you screen these potential staffing partners, remember that the hiring process differs depending on the position. Hiring a temporary office assistant will be faster than replacing a project officer.

4. Does your employment agency guarantee transparency?

Besides meeting your talent needs on time, you’ll want a transparent staffing partner who will communicate openly through all the stages of recruitment. Moreover, the contacts should spell all details clearly, including each partner’s role and who takes ownership of the hiring process. A primary reason why this is an essential question to ask a staffing agency is due to the implication it will have on functions such as:

• Onboarding
• Transitioning
• Onsite management
• Record-keeping

Here’s another key point, the firm should be clear on the pricing structure. Typically, the fees will differ based on the staffing partner’s expertise and industry rates.

5. Can you demonstrate ROI?

Partnering with a staffing agency should make business sense. Therefore the right partner will offer valuable advice and dedicate sufficient time to source, screen, and interview quality candidates. This agency must also demonstrate drive as not all candidates are actively searching—their ability to reach passive job searchers and sell your company on your behalf matters. Ultimately the quality of hire should exceed the cost of hire.

Bring In the Right Hires With the Help of PrideStaff

Now that you know what questions to ask a staffing agency before selecting a partner, you should understand why the right partner matters. Most internal HR departments are under pressure to fill candidates fast. Add the inadequate capacity, and you have an overburdened team. With the right staffing partner, your HR team can focus on other pressing matters while the agency sources and shortlists people who are a good fit.

PrideStaff is an employment agency in Fort Lauderdale that meets small and large firms’ clerical, administrative, and call center staffing needs. Our system is thorough entailing background checks, drug tests, and evaluations.

Contact us today to learn how we can help you find quality hires to expand your team.