7 Things to Look for in a Temporary Staffing Agency

If you are a business owner or manager, you may have encountered frustrations in dealing with temporary staffing agencies - especially if they fail to deliver on what they promise.

Find top-rated staffing agencies on The Manifest.

7 Ideal Qualities for Temporary Staffing Agencies

Here are seven things to look for in a temporary staffing agency that will make the process go more smoothly:

1. Professional office space
2. Positive client relationships
3. Fair pay rates
4. Qualified candidates
5. Strategic tools and testing processes
6. Strong career development opportunities
7. Up-to-date technology

These qualities will help ensure that you get the best quality hires with the least amount of hassle and stress possible.

1. Professional Office Space

The first thing you should look for in a temporary staffing agency is office space. Even in this current environment affected by COVID-19, where remote workers are more commonplace, an established agency is more likely to have physical office space.

A good agency will have a professional looking office with plenty of room for interviewees. An agency that is located in a busy area is also more likely to have connections with other companies that are hiring, such as an LA, Houston, New York, or DC staffing agency.

In some metropolitan areas, an agency may be located in a part of the city that is not considered a “good” part of town – to no fault of the agency.

Even so, it's important that the temporary staffing agency has policies in place to ensure the safety of all its employees and visitors alike – policies regarding sexual harassment, workplace violence prevention strategies, discrimination laws, workplace drug-free policy requirements, and so much more.

Your own workplace maintains such policies; a temporary staffing agency should have them, too.

Source: Vector Stock

2. Positive Client Relationships

A good staffing agency will have strong relationships with their clients. This means that they take the time to get to know their clients' business, culture, and values.

They also keep their clients updated on the latest industry news and trends. In addition, they are always available to answer any questions or concerns that their clients may have. It is important for you, the client, the staffing agency, and the temporary staff member to feel comfortable working together. If the relationship isn't healthy, it can create problems for everyone involved.

A good agency will be able to provide you with references from satisfied clients. This is a great way to get an idea of what it's like to work with the agency and whether or not they're likely to meet your needs.

Also check industry-specific sites, and even sites such as Clutch, Yelp, and Google Maps for reviews. In addition to client reviews, you’ll likely come across reviews from staffers who have had temporary assignments through the agency.

Don’t let just a few bad reviews completely dissuade you. Consider the reviews in the broader context and rating of the agency.

3. Fair Pay Rates

No matter what pay rate you work out with the agency, make sure the agency pays its workers a fair wage, and that the wage is appropriate for the type of work the employee will be doing. You don't want the temporary employee to be underpaid for their time.

While the temporary worker may be accepting of the wage offered by the agency, they may find out what your regular employees are being paid for similar work, while the temporary worker is on the job. If there is a significant gap in those wages, it can reflect poorly on your company's reputation.

Source: Vector Stock

4. Qualified Candidates

A good temporary staffing agency will have a large pool of qualified candidates to choose from. This means that you're more likely to find the right person for the job.

They should be able to present you with a few, pre-selected candidates, so that you won't have to waste time sifting through a stack of resumes.

5. Strategic Tools & Training Processes

While a temporary staffing agency should be able to locate and provide you with good candidates, the better staffing agencies will have a variety of tools and resources at their disposal to help you find the right employees for your business.

Having tools like applicant tracking systems (ATS) can help an organization manage their workforce more efficiently by reducing recruitment time, lowering costs, and providing better quality results.

An effective toolkit comprises HR management software that manages:

• Hiring needs
• Employee onboarding
• Background checks
• Payroll solutions

It is also important to work with agencies that employ skilled recruiters who can guide employers through all phases of the recruitment process from sourcing qualified candidates to making hiring decisions and processing payroll expenses.

6. Strong Career Development Opportunities

The best temporary staffing agencies want to help workers to grow in their careers.

They'll provide resources and opportunities for them to learn new skills and advance in their field. They'll also actively solicit your feedback on the performance of temporary staff members so that your company receives value and so that the employees can improve.

7. Up-to-Date Technology

In today's business world, technology is king. A good temporary staffing agency will be up-to-date on the latest software and tools, and they'll be able to help you find the right candidates for your open positions.

Top agencies will have a robust candidate database available to their clients at all times, which means that as soon as a new, qualified candidate registers with the agency, they should appear on your account's portal.

The client portal should also provide you with a way to send feedback to the agency. They might also provide an instant chat option so that you can speak with someone at the agency on demand. 

Finding Ideal Qualities in Staffing Agencies is Essential

If you're looking for a temporary staffing agency, these are important things you should keep in mind. Even reliable agencies may not have all of these things, but the more characteristics that they have, the better.

A top temporary staffing agency will have these qualities and more. You'll be glad you took the time to do your research before choosing an agency to help you with your temporary staffing needs.

Connect with the right staffing company for you on The Manifest.