Employers are usually delighted to hand over the recruitment process to an outside agency. They're literally swamped with resumes. The time and money it requires to go through them and the resulting interviews can seriously disrupt other critical duties.
Temporary agencies have been popular during economic downturns since the first one was started in 1946. Now, they're even more popular since they offer more types of workers than ever. Not only administrative staff and general labor are available, but specialists are as well. Qualified professionals like medical and legal staff can be found on short notice.
With this economic future unsure, creating a commitment to additional staff could be daunting. With an agency, staff can be induced as temporary, temp-to-perm, long and short-term contract, or as direct hire. That can be a large relief. Workers can be evaluated on the job while economic stability is waited out. There are a number of services open to painlessly grow business without the risk associated hiring a normal employee.
Staffing agencies will be the experts. Based on the Houston Chronicle, "Employees of staffing agencies generally have a higher level of expertise linked to job knowledge, employment trends and recruitment practices by virtue of continuous keeping employees." This expertise is often unmatched within HR departments and it is useful in specialized fields. Staffing agencies can manage the entire employment process, freeing up both financial and recruiting.
In the past, it was only larger corporations that turned to staffing agencies for help. There is a preconceived notion that small businesses could not afford temporary staff rates. It really is simply not true. Instead of taking a chance on hiring full-time employees, your small business can greatly reap the benefits of temporary staff. You can't contend with a skeleton staff; and, you don't have to. Plus, you can avoid the costs associated with pre-employment testing, background checks, and drug screening. Atlanta Medical Recruiter Gail Abelman of Staffing Perfection says, "The companies we staff save thousands every year by eliminating many recruitment fees from their budget."
As the economy gets stronger, my prediction is that staffing agencies will continue to thrive. They have stepped up to the plate in times of need and exceeded expectations. They have carved out a distinct segment that goes far beyond their historic role. It is no longer nearly finding a secretary to fill in during a regular employee's vacation or short leave. They offer a practical service that practically every business can reap the benefits of.
Staffing agencies are popular because they're an immediate solution and a forward strategy. Employers can test the waters in a time and cost-effective manner, before fully investing in a larger staff. In the meantime, it's business as usual.
