Staffing agencies are also called recruitment firms, employment agencies or head hunters.
Also known as a recruitment firm, employment agency or head hunter, a staffing agency provides clients with pre-screened and pre-qualified manpower. As with any type of outsourcing, organizations that use staffing agencies are investing in the agency’s expertise. What staffing agencies charge their clients for providing qualified employees often saves those clients time and money otherwise wasted on recruiting, screening and training the wrong person for the job.
Candidates with Proven Skills
If a prospective employee claims to have a certain word per minute (wpm) typing speed, a staffing agency can put it and other claims to the test through a series of skill evaluations. Staffing agencies typically test candidates on their word processing skills, particularly candidates for administrative positions. Staffing agencies sometimes also administer personality tests and other evaluations that can help determine how well the candidate would fit into the culture of the organization.
Pre-Screened Job Candidates
Staffing agencies can perform background checks for positions that require bonding. They also verify the references on a candidate’s r sum and may even confirm past employment directly with the organizations listed on the candidate’s r sum .
Opportunity to "Try Before You Buy"
Most staffing agencies offer clients the opportunity to turn a temporary employee into a permanent, direct employee of their organizations. If the client isn’t satisfied with the employee, he can simply not re-hire after the term is up or request that the agency replace the employee with a different one.
Quick Solution to Short-Term Vacancies
Organizations don’t usually have the time and coordination it takes to hire an employee for a short period of time, such as to cover for another staff member who is on vacation for a few weeks. The time it takes to place the job ad, interview applicants, verify references and train the employee usually takes an organization at least a month. Staffing agencies, however, specialize in the ability to provide organizations with a qualified job candidate on very short notice.
Wider Pool of Qualified Candidates
Staffing agencies are able to draw from their own database of qualified job seekers in addition to placing a help wanted ad, whereas most organizations only have the option of placing an ad.
Legal Expertise
Staffing agencies are knowledgeable in the area of labor laws, including which questions you can and can't legally ask a job candidate during an interview.
