Seven Tips for Selecting the Right Staffing Firm

Working with a staffing vendor to hire technical support for short- or long-term projects is often a smart decision for business leaders who don’t want to put a strain on their internal staff. However, selecting a staffing firm to take on a project is a major decision – and many executives may become overwhelmed and simply select the cheapest option or one that was recommended by a friend.

In order to maximize the value of contingent IT workers, companies must ensure they have the right technical skill sets, experience and cultural fit to be successful. With this in mind, AgreeYa Solutions — a leading global provider of software, solutions and services, also specializing in providing staffing services in the areas of information technology and risk and compliance — has released seven tips that employers should consider when selecting a staffing firm.

Choosing a Recruiting Firm

Click through for seven tips that employers should consider when selecting a staffing firm, as identified by AgreeYa Solutions.

Specialization

Find a specialized staffing firm. Choosing the right staffing vendor depends on the types of positions the company needs to fill. If a company requires specific job skills — such as information technology services — it is best to choose a specialized company over a general one, as they have experience in placing these types of employees and a better understanding of what the hiring organization needs. Specialized firms often attract more highly qualified workers than general staffing vendors.

Identifying Candidates

Understand how the vendor locates candidates. Find out what kind of advertising the staffing company uses. Do they use newspapers, online staffing sites, social media sites like LinkedIn, or networking and job fairs? Make sure the staffing firm is getting as wide a pool of applicants as possible to ensure the best candidates are available. In addition, review the types of references and background checks that are used.

Candidate Verification

Learn how the firm qualifies candidates. Most staffing vendors will test their applicants to determine the kinds of skill sets they have. Ask to review the tests to see if they are specific enough for the positions that need to be filled.

Pay Rate and Benefits

Ask about the company’s pay rate and benefits packages. Typically, the staffing company will determine the placed employee’s wage and benefits. Make sure they provide reasonable compensation and benefit packages that will attract top talent.

Placement Fees

Get the details on cost. Differences among prices may reflect the different types and levels of service. Some companies will charge flat placement fees while others will charge percentages of employee wages depending on  whether employees are being hired as temporary or permanent. Have a good understanding of the cost before making the investment.

The Recruiters

Meet the recruiter(s). Find out if there will be a single person or a team recruiting for your organization, to know whom to contact in case of requests or problems.

Values and Standards

Establish a mutual model of standards. Ask the company about their guidelines, values and standards. It is important to know the characteristics they demonstrate while doing business. See if there is a way to create specific criteria to evaluate their services.