More than 90% of Fortune 500 organizations employ staffing agencies and HR outsourcing firms to recruit qualified temporary and contract workers, some of whom will eventually be promoted to full-time roles.

How do you get the most out of a staffing agency arrangement when you’re looking to create and grow your team? To guarantee that the firm can handle your employment needs in a timely manner, be honest with it about your goals and expectations for what you’re looking for. You should also look into their brand reputation and references to confirm any industry hype regarding what their clientele says about them.

Here are some questions to ask organizations and hiring managers who are considering working with a staffing agency and some opinions from experts to assist you to examine the possibilities and choose the one that may work best for your firm.

1. Is There A Clear Understanding Of Your Brand’s Tone?

Leaders should focus on employer branding. This is because the agency will be an extension of your firm, setting the tone for how talent in the industry will perceive you. So, one must ensure they are selling your firm the right way. Talent networks are ridiculously connected and an employer’s reputation goes a long way.

2. Does The Agency Specialize In Your Industry?

Are they experts in your industry? What is their time to fill and the retention rates amongst their candidate and client pool? And most importantly, what is their reputation? As they will be the first point of contact for a candidate, they are an extension of your brand. In a competitive labor market, the candidate’s experience is key. If a firm has a negative reputation, do not partner with them.

3. Are They Empowered With The Right Tools To Attract The Right Talent?

You’ve worked hard to establish a brand worthy of the talent you’re targeting. Be very aware of the extension of your brand through the acquisition of talent via any third party—and be extremely careful with that real estate. Today’s market demands that you empower the agencies who support you effectively with the tools they’ll need to attract the talent you’re after. The lines are blurred today.

4. Are The Representatives Engaged With The Hiring Managers?

A true partnership with a staffing agency begins with the agency understanding your company’s culture. The goal is not to find a temporary hire but a future team member. Agencies that take the time to make on-site visits and stay engaged with hiring managers generally better understand the organization’s labor needs.

5. How Quick Is The Turn-Around?

Several factors matter when working with a staffing agency (e.g., rates). I do think that staffing firms are an excellent source for helping with high-volume, fast hiring needs—for example, staffing a new call center. I prefer working with a firm on filling a role that cannot be filled through the internal talent acquisition staff. You need their expertise in a certain market to fill a particular position.

6. Is The Agency Open And Honest About Its Own Pain Points?

It is very important to ask them questions about things you know they will fail at. The reason this is important is that you want to find a staffing partner that is honest with you, as many will say anything they think they need to say in order to get the business. An associate who is honest about when they think they will fail will set you up for success because you can partner to make the necessary changes.

7. Does It Offer A Diverse And Inclusive Talent Pool?

By asking this, you’ll be doing the right thing and doing your DEI and procurement department a favor, if you make sure you look at diverse suppliers. Also, make sure contracts are clear, fair and transparent. Read the fine print to make sure you’re not paying an arm and a leg to convert candidates!

8. Have You Properly Vetted The Agency’s Brand And Reputation?

When seeking to work with a staffing agency, consider the agency’s brand and reputation. Are they offering a reputable service because their clients say they are good or are they really providing great services? Ask for references and check out their online reviews. Take time to research, review and reflect on your business needs to partner with a staffing agency that aligns with your strategy.

9. How Do Candidates Feel About The Agency’s Recruitment Process?

The kind of relationship a staffing company establishes with candidates is crucial to their success in getting great candidates to even consider your opening. If the candidates have a positive recruiting experience from first contact to offer, and they trust the agency is truly trying to find the best position for them, the staffing company will be successful in filling your positions.

10. What Are The Rates?

Be mindful of the price for that engagement. Not just the temporary rate, but the conversion rate. Also, remember to consider the replacement rate and any other rate. If you are not clear about this, you may want someone you can’t afford, which is a waste of time for you and the staffing agency.

11. What Is The Golden Standard Method Of Recruitment?

The competition for top talent is high, and the candidate experience can set you apart from your competitors. When partnering with agencies, it’s important to reinforce the experience you expect from the recruiters. Ensure the agency has gold standard methodologies for their recruitment processes, but more importantly, they are well-informed on your employer’s branding proposition.

12. Can They Answer Candidate Questions About Your Organization?

It’s most important to assess their depth of understanding of your company, as this builds credibility and trust for all parties. How accurately can they represent your business? Do they know your corporate culture well enough to vet for best-fit candidates? Can they set realistic expectations by answering candidate questions on organizational structure, growth agendas and leadership styles?

13. Does The Agency Share Your Company Values?

The agency you choose needs to be an extension of your business, so its values need to mirror yours. Whether the employee is joining full-time, part-time or a freelancer, their feelings about the business need to be a true reflection. Therefore, the quality of the partner you choose needs to be carefully considered.

14. Is The Company-Agency Partnership Properly Aligned?

Transparency of processes is key when working with staffing agencies. There should be no surprises for the agency, our organization or the staff assigned. Being aligned on the process allows you and the agency placement staff to concentrate on matching skills and knowledge with essential job functions within your organization, leading to successful placements that result in permanent hires.

15. Are You Familiar With Their Integrity?

I would ask them questions that are related to integrity because it is the key component and foundation stone for leadership. I would expect staffing agencies to act as the primary filters in picking the right candidates with integrity who in future can be groomed as leaders for the success of the organization.

How To Prepare for a Staffing Agency Interview

Staffing companies can assist individuals with their job searches by connecting them with potential work opportunities and arranging up interviews. Many staffing firms ask job seekers to first interview with the agency to ensure that they are a good fit to work with the individual.

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A staffing agency interview is one in which a staffing agency learns more about the potential employee and the opportunities that would best suit their preferences and qualifications. A staffing agency’s primary purpose is to match you with the best career prospects available, and the interview process with an agency helps them achieve just that. Unlike traditional job interviews, which focus on questions pertaining to the position being interviewed for, staffing agency interviews ask a variety of questions on a variety of topics to better understand your skills, talents, and ambitions.

The following steps can help you best prepare for a staffing agency interview:

1. Do some research on the staffing agency ahead of time

Each staffing agency is different and what they specialize in and look for in candidates will vary. For example, some staffing agencies help people find jobs in a wide range of industries, whereas others offer placement support in one industry such as marketing or IT. Become familiar with the type of agency you’ll be interviewing with and the jobs they can help you find before going into the interview.

2. Get familiar with various interview questions

A staffing agency interviewer will likely ask you several questions on several different topics. These questions are asked with the purpose of better understanding your career goals and qualifications. Questions to consider before going into the interview include:

• What is your expected salary range?
• Why are you currently looking for a job?
• What skills, education and experience do you have?
• What is your dream career?
• Tell me about each part of your resume.
• What are the most important career factors for you?
• What are your career goals over the next five years?

3. Have your portfolio and other important documents ready

It’s important to go into the staffing agency interview fully prepared with all documentation that portrays your abilities and experience. The more effectively you showcase your accomplishments and qualifications, the better the staffing agency will be at matching you with the right job. Print out copies of your resume or CV and have your portfolio or other work readily available to view during the interview.

4. Dress as you would for a conventional interview

Even though a staffing agency may seem less formal and may even be held virtually over the computer or phone, it’s still important to dress professionally. Wear what you would to any other job interview and ensure your clothes are ironed, cleaned and presentable. If the staffing agency specifically says that business casual attire is acceptable for the interview, be sure to choose clothing that still presents you in a professional manner.

5. Go into the interview with the same attitude you would a conventional job interview

A recruiting agency interview can sometimes come off as informal when compared to other job interviews. However, it’s important to go into the interview with the same attitude you would in another interview. You should show up a few minutes early, use professional language and do your best to portray why you are a good fit for the staffing agency. After all, the better the impression you make on the staffing firm, the better they will be able to present you to potential employers.

Here are a few tips to keep in mind when preparing for and participating in an interview with a staffing agency:

• Take some time to figure out your ideal career. A staffing agency often has access to multiple job opportunities, which means if you work with the agency you could be considered for various positions. Determining your most ideal job before going into the interview can help the agency narrow down opportunities and match you with only those that fit your preferences.
• Choose a staffing agency that specializes in your field. As mentioned earlier, some staffing agencies specialize in particular industries. If you know which industry you want to work in, you can choose a recruiting agency that works only with companies in that industry to fill positions. This can ensure the focus is on the field you want to pursue and that you aren’t wasting any time with jobs that aren’t suited to your background.
• Be open to suggestions. Many staffing agency professionals will help the person they are interviewing better prepare for job opportunities when necessary. For example, if you are missing certain information on your resume that the staffing agency feels is important, they may suggest you add it. Going into the interview with an open mind and willingness to take suggestions can ensure you get the most out of the interview and are as prepared as possible for job opportunities.
• Know that not every agency will be the right fit for you. It’s important to keep in mind that you may go to a staffing agency interview only to discover that the agency is not the best fit for your goals. Being prepared for this ahead of time can ensure you’re able to remain professional and move on to pursuits that better fit your interests.