If you're struggling to backfill for critical roles, you might wonder if it makes sense to enlist the help of a staffing firm. After all, partnering with experts who have a deep roster of talent available on demand can save you time and money — and get you better candidates, to boot. Here, we take a closer look at three major benefits of engaging a staffing partner, as well as some potential red flags to watch out for.
staffing firms can save you time
When you embark on a candidate search alone, you're likely to get hit with an avalanche of applications, many of which are coming from candidates that don't meet the necessary qualifications. And yet you still have to sift through the pile to find the sharpest needles in the haystack. More time spent placing ads, filling out paperwork and evaluating talent means less time spent on growing your business.
Working with a staffing partner can alleviate some of the pressure being placed on your schedule. Trained specialists can find skilled candidates on your behalf so you can focus on your immediate business concerns.
Red flag: Beware of staffing firms that don't listen carefully to your needs. A firm that's willing to send you resumes after just reading a job description — without learning about your company culture, work style and specific requirements — is likely going to just send you a boatload of unqualified resumes.
staffing firms can provide expert assistance
Nobody knows your business better than you, so it makes sense that you should want to lead the charge when hiring candidates. But the art of staffing extends beyond just filling roles, and when it comes to finding the right people for your business, a trained specialist will have the in-depth expertise that can only be gained from full-time dedication to the task. Their experience with talent sourcing and matching enables them to identify and deliver better candidates at a faster rate. The best recruiters also have deep subject matter expertise in the industries they serve.
Staffing firm recruiters are keyed in to current market trends and emerging technologies that may impact the future of the functions you're looking to fill. While you may have an accurate idea of the kind of talent you need today, a trained recruiter within a staffing firm can deliver the talent you'll need for years to come.
Red flag: Stay away from firms that don't have expertise in your field or market — especially if it's in a niche field or market. Staffing firms with domain expertise in your area will have a far more nuanced understanding of your needs and be able to deliver greater value.
staffing firms can save you money
Between allocating funds for background checks, drug screenings and other pre-employment testing, the hiring process can get expensive quickly. Engaging a staffing partner can help you avoid these costs and save you money in the long run.
The best firms are able to deliver best-fit talent to businesses from day one, reducing turnover and decreasing the likelihood of a new-hire not working out. The last thing you want is to waste money on pre-employment requirements (not to mention the time onboarding someone) only to realize the candidate is not the right fit for your company. The costs of making a bad hire is extremely high, so getting it right the first time is essential.
Additionally, many staffing experts are well versed in the current salary trends for both your industry and market and can help you compile competitive compensation packages that are strong enough to compel talent to stay without burdening the bottom line.
Red flag: Look out for staffing companies that are not transparent about their billing approach. The best won't try to charge hidden fees or tack on unnecessary services. Always inquire about billing practices before beginning an engagement with a staffing partner.
the bottom line
For employers looking to attract and retain today's top talent, the benefits of working with a staffing firm are clear. Specialized staffing experts can help you avoid the costs of making a bad hire and accelerate the hiring process to get you the people you need fast. These firms leverage their in-depth expertise to find qualified candidates that fit your company culture, keeping turnover low and retention high, while reducing the need for additional hiring expenses.
