Working with a staffing & recruiting agency can be advantageous. American staffing agencies help place around 15 million employees each year. So those who choose to partner with these agencies often benefit. If you’re considering working with a staffing & recruiting agency, here’s what you need to know.
Staffing & Recruiting Agencies Provide Valuable Services
The primary role of a Staffing & Recruiting Agency is to match qualified candidates to company positions. While the details of this process can change from agency to agency, the service is generally the same.
Typically, an employer who needs to fill a position will approach a staffing & recruiting agency. The agency works with the employer to identify company needs and how they can be met.
An agency maintains established relationships with prospective candidates and even takes them on as staffing employees. A recruiter knows who is looking for work, what their skills are, and what positions they would be good for. In essence, a staffing and recruiting agency serves as a liaison for a company’s Human Resource department.
They serve to quickly and efficiently fill company positions with top talent. This benefits candidate in multiple ways.
1. Recruiting agencies know of positions that aren’t listed on job boards.
This is because many companies would rather work with an agency to find a qualified candidate than sort through hundreds of potential resumes. Working with a recruiter can give you opportunities you would otherwise not have.
2. Staffing agencies offer both temporary and long-term assignments.
This allows you the opportunity for temporary work while simultaneously looking for something better. That being said, it’s good to get your foot in the door of a company. Roughly 35% of temporary workers are offered a permanent position. This means that even if you’re having a hard time finding work, a staffing agency could be a great path to a permanent position.
The Difference Between “Hiring” And “Recruiting”
Regarding a staffing agency, it’s important to understand the difference between hiring and recruiting. While these are similar in nature, there is a clear distinction.
1. Hiring meets an immediate need.
Typically when a company loses an employee, they begin searching for a qualified candidate. This search is costly as well as long. Often the loss of an employee costs the company 30-50 percent of that employee’s annual salary. That’s just for entry-level employees. That number jumps to 150% for mid-level employees, and 400% for high-level or specialized workers.
Aside from the cost, hiring takes time. Even if you apply, you’re probably only 1 of 250 applicants the company will need to sort through. Even if you are selected, the whole process can take an average of 43 days. That’s a long time to be out of work. Applying for a position and going through the hiring process is not always effective.
2. Recruiting prepares for potential needs.
Recruiting, on the other hand, prepares for potential needs. This is advantageous for job seekers because it allows them to find work more quickly. By working with a recruiting agency, you’ll be in a “pool” of candidates looking for work.
Then, when a company needs to fill a position, your recruiter can immediately connect you with that potential employer. This speeds up the process for everyone and allows you to begin working with the company rather than waiting for the hiring process to come to an end.
What To Expect From A Top Tech Staffing Agency
Working with a staffing and recruiting agency is an excellent decision. If you’re preparing to do so, here’s what you can expect from a top tech staffing agency. When you begin working with a staffing and recruiting agency, they will likely schedule a meeting with you. During this meeting, they will not only go over your resume but also ask about your skills, history, interests, etc. The goal is to find out as much as they can about you as a candidate. This allows them to better match you with a company later on.
It’s important to be open with your recruiter about what you’re looking for. Be honest about money, hours, and responsibilities. The more detailed you are here, the more likely you are to be happy with your position down the road.
Staffing agencies will then keep you posted on potential positions. You do NOT have to accept the first offer you receive. And over time they will likely coach you on how you can present yourself better and other positive changes you can make.
There’s a lot of flexibility in working with a recruiter. When the right opportunity comes along, the recruiter will set up a meeting between you and the company’s hiring manager. This specialized process speeds things up. It also ensures both you and the hiring manager are meeting about a job that you’re qualified for. This meeting, in turn, could be the first step to your long and successful career!
How Can TechBridge Help?
At TechBridge, our goal is to bridge the gap between business and employee, matching qualified workers with the companies who need them. If you have any further questions or you’re interested in our staffing and recruiting process, contact us today!
