*Five Tips To Hiring A Great Temp Service

Five Tips To Hiring A Great Temp Service

By Suzanne Martin

Whether you need a number cruncher to stand in for a vacationing bookkeeper or extra hands to ship out seasonal orders, temporary workers can be a quick fix for employee woes. But all temporary staffing services are not created equal. Hire one that’s right for you and you’ll have access to qualified workers who help keep your business running smoothly. Make a mistake, and work could screech to a halt. Here are five tips to guide you in the search for the perfect staffing service.
1. Determine your needs
Know what type of personnel you need before you start your search. The more clearly you communicate your needs to the staffing agency, the better chance you have of getting a good match with a qualified temporary worker. Answering these questions will help you focus on the job at hand.
• How long will you need the worker?
• What are the work hours?
• What skills should the worker possess? Computer experience? Communication skills for dealing with customers?
• What responsibilities do you want the worker to assume?
• Who will supervise the worker?

2. Assess the agency’s qualifications
Temporary staffing services have become increasingly specialized during the past few years. So look for one that specializes in providing the kind of worker you need. Ask about the availability of workers in your geographic area. The agency should offer an extensive pool of workers to ensure you get just the right person for the job.

If your business operates on weekends or nights, be sure to discuss how after-hour problems will be handled. The agency should be easy to contact—and should be responsive—if an emergency arises after normal working hours.

Employees of many staffing firms are bonded. Many firms also carry liability, workers’ compensation, even errors and omissions insurance for their workers. Ask about coverage and know the limits of the policies.

Ask specifically about customer satisfaction guarantees. What action is the agency willing to take if you’re unsatisfied with a temporary worker?

3. Check the agency’s background
The quality of an agency’s workers is often reflected in the quality of service you receive from the agency’s staff. Visit the company’s office for a firsthand look at operations. Find out how long it’s been in business in your area. Ask for references, especially other businesses that have hired workers for positions similar to the one you’re trying to fill. Were those customers satisfied with the quality of temporary workers? Were they impressed with the level of attention and professionalism exhibited by the agency’s management?

4. Investigate the quality of personnel
How the staffing agency recruits and retains its workers can be your first clue to the reliability of the temporary workers. Look at the agency’s recruitment ads. Are they just trying to attract warm bodies or are they searching for qualified and experienced personnel?

Ask the agency about the benefits it offers to workers. Bigger and better benefit packages usually attract top-notch personnel and decrease worker turnover. But don’t leave that to chance. Ask specifically about the rate of turnover in the agency’s personnel.

Also ask about how workers are tested and screened. Does the agency perform background checks for those workers who will handle money? Is a worker’s resume information confirmed by the agency? Does it follow through with reference checks?

5. Know the costs
Along with understanding the specific billing rate you’ll be charged for the position you want to fill, also ask how long that rate will remain effective. The agency should be able to explain how it categorizes workers into skill levels and assigns corresponding pay rates. This information will help you and the agency determine which level of worker is best qualified—and least costly—for the job.

Be sure to discuss acceptable payment methods and find out when you’ll be expected to pay for the services provided. If you anticipate hiring the temporary worker on a permanent basis, ask the agency how much it charges to make the switch.