A client recently said to me that a family member of theirs had used a staffing agency and did not anticipate the great service they had received from Bridge in comparison to their family member’s experience with the other agency.
Unfortunately, it is not uncommon for a recruiter to hear skepticism in candidates’ (and clients’)eyes when using a staffing agency based on their personal experiences or stories others have shared with them. People are more likely to share a bad experience vs. hearing a good experience – whether that be word of mouth or through online reviews.
How do you decide what agency should best represent you or your company? What are some red flags when deciding on working with a staffing agency? Read on to find out the answers to these questions we receive quite frequently.
Do your research
Going to Google and searching “Staffing Agencies near me” will pull the staffing agencies nearest to you, along with their business reviews. Not that ratings are everything all of the time, but reviews and the overall star rating will give you insight into the company and its overall reputation. Now, some people like to share their negative experiences rather than positive ones, so take negative reviews with a grain of salt and decipher them when reading to see what they’re saying.
While you’re doing research, go to the company’s webpage. Does this agency specialize in the area you are looking to get into or the industry your company represents? Look at more than just the home page; perhaps it is digging further into their specialties, team, and how long they have been in business.
While you’re there, what does the agency’s website look like? Is it user-friendly, and does it give pertinent information that seems like it could help you or your business? What does the application process look like? What do the job postings look like? These are all things to consider when reviewing an agency’s business page.
User experience
Give the company a call, and assess how the person on the phone sounds when you call. Are they informative? Maybe they don’t have all the answers, could they connect you with someone better suited to assist you? These are small things that define your future experience working with an agency.
Once you have been connected with a recruiter, how was your experience? How were the follow-up and overall communication?
For Employers – what type of staffing do they do? The research on their website should have stated what staffing solutions they have available. Do those options work with what you are looking for?
It’s ok to have a consultation call with the agency to see if what they offer matches what you are looking for as an employer, and if it’s not an ideal match on either or both sides, it is ok to walk away.
Job Seekers – if an agency tells you there is a fee or a deduction from your check for their services, RUN. This shouldn’t be happening.
The relationship doesn’t stop after someone starts a job
Whether you are the company or a job seeker, after someone starts a job, it is the primary job of a recruiter to stay in communication with employees. Receiving the, “Hi, how are you doing” phone call, goes a long way and should be happening.
When a company is looking to hire a staffing agency, the decision is not always straightforward. There are many factors to consider, including pricing, timing, and areas of specialty. It’s important to keep in mind that you get what you pay for, not only in terms of employees but also in the quality of the staffing agencies you work with as vendors.
Our Conclusion
Not every staffing agency is the same. It is important to find an agency that will best represent you and your company or personal brand. Ask the questions.
And what is your gut telling you? (I can’t tell you how many times my gut tells me one thing, I do another, and wish I had listened to my gut the first time)
For more information on working with Bridge, head to our website: https://bridgepersonnel.com/clients/