Choosing the right staffing partner is one of the most important decisions you’ll make as an HR leader.

Sure, your in-house team may be top notch, but everyone’s plate is beyond full – and if you elect to partner with a recruitment firm, it needs to be the right one: the one whose values, approach and industry understanding complement that of your own organization.

In other words, as a core member of your strategic business team, your staffing partner should be able to show up tomorrow morning, meet your staff and hit the ground running.

 
How Can You Tell?

There are myriad staffing firms out there, and each one claims to be the best. You’ve built your career on interviewing and making selections… Now, how do you apply those skills to finding the maximum value in a staffing firm?

Here are some key questions you can ask:

• What industries do you specialize in? Be sure you opt for a staffing partner with in-depth knowledge of and contacts in your own industry. Would you want an orthopedic surgeon to operate on your heart or a cardiac surgeon to repair your compact knee fracture? The same premise holds true when it comes to your recruitment firm. You want the specialist with the most experience in your niche industry.
• Which clients do you currently represent? Have your potential staffing partner describe their current clientele. Ask for references, check out testimonials on their web site, but carry the process a step further by making personal contact.
• Do you have available candidates? Determine the size and scope of the firm’s candidate database, as well as its success rate in placing candidates at organizations similar to yours.
• What’s your process for screening candidates? Ask how the firm customizes its search process beyond reading resumes. How do they go about completing reference checks, background checks and skills testing?
• What is your fee structure? Generally, fees vary by type of position. For instance, they may be based on a percentage of a new hire’s first-year compensation, with a smaller percentage for lower to mid-level hires and a higher one for senior and C-level placements.
• Besides staffing, what services do you provide? Look for a firm that provides comprehensive workforce solutions. In addition to sourcing and staffing, this includes such services as succession planning, on-site HR support, development of job descriptions, training, talent development, and compliance.

You can save time and money, and address immediate and long-term staffing strategies, by working with the right recruitment partner. To learn more, read our related posts or contact Magellan Search and Staffing today. If you are looking for staffing agencies in Philadelphia, contact us today.