Temp Agencies: What to Look For
Whether you are a job seeker or a major corporation, there are certain qualities one should look for when trying to locate a temp agency to service your needs.
Just what are these qualities?
1. Reputation
There are many upstarts that come and go, but the hallmark of a great company is staying power. The best hr consulting firms have been around and know what the market trends are in regards to employment opportunities. They also know what jobseekers and business want and can consistently bring the two together.
2. References
All business, no matter their nature, should have a database of individuals who can give feedback on the performance of the company. It is your right as a business owner or potential employee to ask about these references. Be leery of any company that doesn’t appear to be forthcoming in regards to this information.
3. Quality control
The best temp agencies utilize tried and true methods to assess the abilities of potential job candidates. They also screen businesses so they know workers are going to be in a safe and beneficial job environment. Both career seekers and companies often feel comfortable knowing that a screening process in place that protects both party’s interests.
4. Attentive to needs
A great business knows that they have to be attentive to the needs of their client. Noteworthy temp agencies understand these fundamental principles and work hard to answer questions and return calls in a timely fashion. If you find that you can’t get the recruiter or the contact liaison on the phone, or fall into the voice mail run around trap one time too often, you may need to find a temp agency that is more diligent in providing quality e-service.
5. Ethical and up front
There are horror stories on both sides of the fence when it comes to hr companies that have not been on the up and up. On the corporate end, some staffing firms have sent over less than qualified candidates to fill positions just because they are looking to fulfill a quota. On the flipside, workers who have expressly stated what they are looking for are bombarded with calls and offers for positions that do not fit their qualifications. This is due to the fact that recruiters only get paid when they place someone. This fact also means some of them knowingly try to place individuals in a job they are ill suited for. Investigate the agency to make sure that this is not a common practice within their firm.
6. Online/Offline Presence
Any agency worth its salt will have a web presence - and a big one at that. You should be able to contact them online and research them online. Beware of companies who are difficult to find on the Internet as they could be a fly-by-night service with no viable background in temporary staffing.
There should also be free standing building that you can visit to talk to the recruiter face to face. This can also help assure you of the legitimacy of the company.
If you can check all of the above items off your list you have found a worthwhile hr consulting firm.
To get the most out of your temp agency interaction, be sure you know what you want prior to an in office visit. Focused workers and employers are more apt to get precisely what they are looking for if they seriously consider what they desire from a working relationship.
In the end, the true beauty of utilizing temp agencies is the variety they can bring to workers and the time saving benefits they deliver to busy companies.
This is why consulting firms have been around for so long, and why, no matter where the job market turns, they will always be a blessed necessity.
Filed under: Reference & Education