The hard truth for many business owners today is that we’re facing a nationwide labor shortage. According to the Chamber of Commerce, 47 million people quit their jobs in 2021 and a lot of industries are still feeling the impacts of that shift.
What do you do when your company needs to hire new employees but can’t risk a high turnover? Working with an experienced and well-prepared staffing agency can help.
Finding a staffing agency that’s right for you requires more than just the Google search, “staffing agency near me.” There are some serious considerations to make–and mistakes to avoid.
If you’re looking for a staffing agency in Columbia, SC, you’re in the right place. Keep reading as we talk about the common mistakes to avoid when reviewing staffing agency options. We’ll help you to go beyond reading online views and comparing agency costs so that you can make the right selection.
Not Understanding Your Business Needs
Don’t just think about what you need right this second. Think about what you’re going to need over the next several years.
Are you looking for employees to work full-time for the foreseeable future or do you need to fulfill a temporary role? Is a high turnover rate simply part of your industry? Can you identify the traits you’re looking for in an ideal employee?
The better you know your business needs, the easier it will be to find the right fit, whether that’s a staffing agency or temp agency in Columbia, SC (or both).
Not Communicating Your Business Needs
A great staffing agency isn’t just going to take your job listings and plaster them online. They’re not going to take the reigns and start seeking out employees based on a few written statements. They’re going to take the time to get to know you.
Some staffing agencies will promise minimal interactions because they “know that you’re busy.” This can sound good on paper but the truth is that they’re not going to deliver. If a staffing agency doesn’t want to know more about your business needs or doesn’t let you communicate them effectively, keep looking.
Overlooking Staffing Agencies in Your Niche
When you start searching for staffing agencies in your region, you’re going to discover platforms that match employees with employers in any industry. While there’s nothing wrong with this approach, don’t forget to look for staffing agencies that work within your niche.
For example, if you’re looking to hire qualified and experienced janitors, it’s useful to work with a janitorial staffing agency. A niche staffing agency is going to understand more about what your industry does and what a qualified candidate looks like. They’re going to go above and beyond to match you with the best candidates for your open positions.
Picking the Staffing Agency With the Fastest Results
It’s time to talk about another promise that sounds good on paper but isn’t that great in reality: promising overnight results. Yes, you have a position that you want to fill as soon as possible. However, a staffing agency that promises the fastest results is probably not doing its due diligence.
It’s always possible that a great candidate is already in contact with a staffing agency when they get your call. Fantastic results can occur overnight! However, if a staffing agency is promising such fast results every time, it means that they’re more invested in meeting a quota than screening candidates to make a strong and lasting match.
Picking the Staffing Agency That Offers Low-Pay Employees
As a business owner, you know that your ethics and values are a big part of what makes your company a great place to work. When a staffing agency is promising employees who will work for lower-than-average pay, you should think twice. Once again, it seems like a sweet deal, but the truth is that it comes with some serious caveats.
When you agree to pay an employee a lower-than-average salary, you aren’t likely to hang onto them for long. After all, they could go somewhere else and do similar work for better pay.
Plus, you have to wonder if someone who is qualified for a job would be willing to accept such a low paycheck. At the end of the day, you get what you pay for.
Working Exclusively With the Big Dogs
If there’s one thing that all consumers have in common, it’s the desire to pay for products or services with a familiar logo. We can understand why business owners would want to work with staffing agencies that they have already heard of. After all, there are some big names in the employee acquisition world, and it would be easy enough to take advantage of their well-known services.
There is a catch when it comes to working with huge staffing agencies instead of local ones. Those big companies are less likely to provide you with the personalized experience that you deserve. Oftentimes, you won’t even speak to a representative, and you’ll still be expected to pay up to gain access to that agency’s list of candidates.
When it comes to staffing agencies for your small to mid-sized business, going local is the way to go.
Hire the Best With Our Help
If you’ve been hit hard over the last few years and find yourself with some serious labor shortages, you’re not alone. That’s why Defender Services is working harder than ever to pair great companies with great candidates. Can we make the right match for your South Carolina business?
To find out more about how we operate or what we can do for you, contact us today. We’ll provide you with a free quote and answer any other questions you may have about our services so that you can make an informed decision.
