Why Should I Use a Staffing Agency? – HR Affiliates Blog
Many employers have difficulty finding qualified candidates to fill job openings. Employers are quick to say there is a talent pool that lacks job skills, business knowledge, experience and formal qualifications. However, many of these same employers often avoid using staffing agencies because they believe cost to be a barrier. Frankly, this is the furthest thing from the truth. Employers should weigh the cost of lost opportunity by having a position unfilled, the cost of having a poor hire, and the endless and tiresome cost of searching for a candidate.
To recruit for a new position, first you must write the job description if you don’t already have one, then post the job listing. Then be prepared to be inundated with applicants. You will have to collect, organize and review cover letters and resumes; prescreen applicants based upon the materials, then pre-screen many through phone interviews and then conduct formal interviews. Once you have narrowed down your choice, you will check references and verify past employment, conduct background screening and drug testing and then work out compensation. Finally, you can extend a job offer that may or may not be accepted. Depending on the requirements of the position, the hiring process can take a few weeks to a few months. Some of the reasons you should use a staffing agency for not only your full time positions, but also to handle peaks and valleys in your workload are listed below:
Reduce Hiring and Labor Cost
Staffing agencies core business is recruiting, screening and selecting the right candidate for a position. To learn firsthand about the organizational structure, culture and environment with their clients, a staffing agency meets with company representative to conduct a needs analysis. Once this is done, they then search their database and search the job market for appropriate candidates.
Good agencies can find candidates quickly. By leveraging recruiters’ networks, which are growing all the time, staffing agencies are able to save companies significant time and money reviewing qualified from unqualified candidates. An employer only needs to indicate what they are looking for, and the staffing agency takes it from there.
In addition to recruiting for full time positions, temporary staffing employees are also employed by the staffing agency. Temporary staff may reduce client overhead costs such as overtime for regular, full-time employees and they can be used as needed without a commitment of a 40-hour workweek regardless of the client workload. The end result is that overall costs to the client can be kept down and they are better able to manage their workload during seasonality or special projects.
Increase Flexibility & Save Time
Utilizing a staffing agency will avoid the commitment that goes with a full-time employee, saving both time and money. Also bad hires can be minimized, again saving time and money. Seasoned recruiters know that a positive interview does not guarantee a positive job performance. Therefore they can balance an employer’s immediate needs with its long-term needs. Many times they will suggest accepting candidates on a contract, or contract-to-hire basis. With this arrangement, an employer can make sure a candidate possesses the necessary skills and experience before bringing them on as a full time employee.
Improve Productivity
Temporary employees can handle work overload and prevent employee burnout of full-time staff. Employees can quickly become overwhelmed if work schedules are overloaded. Then mistakes can happen and productivity decreases. Increased absenteeism may also happen. Full-time employees can continue to focus on their main job tasks while maintaining their productivity using temporary staff.
Try Before You Buy
With staffing agencies, you have the opportunity to have the person work on a temporary basis first, so you evaluate how the person performs and whether they will fit in with other employees and the culture before you hire them. Often, an associate may have the experience and education for a job, but simply does not fit in with the business environment. Using the try before you buy program, you get a chance to make sure the candidate will work out for several months before you offer them a permanent position.
Greater Recruitment Reach
Staffing agencies are able to find employees proactively. Recruiters have expert knowledge of the entire job market. Often, they also know talented prospects who are currently employed, but interested in other opportunities should they arise.
For assistance with any or all of your human resource needs, HR Affiliates provides solutions that fit any company.