Choosing a technical staffing firm

Working with a technical staffing firm to recruit new employees for short or long-term placements is sometimes smart for businesses that do not wish to strain their internal recruiting teams with extra work.

However, undertaking the task of choosing a technical staffing firm can prove to be a daunting experience.  As the number of staffing agencies continues to flood the industry, the decision can be overwhelming, which can cause you to select the wrong company for your staffing needs.

To take full advantage of the value of contingent and full-time/perm employees, companies should make certain that they have the best outside resource providers to be successful.  More importantly, it’s vital to evaluate whether or not a new employee can fit into the organizational culture.

With that in mind, here are some tips to consider before choosing a technical staffing firm:

Find a specialized firm

The process of selecting the right staffing vendor primarily depends on the caliber of positions that the organization requires.  If your company needs a particular skill set, such as an IT guru or an electrical engineer, it’s better to select a vendor specializing in these skill sets.  Additionally, such technical staffing firms tend to attract more qualified candidates compared to others.

What is their process?

It is critical to understand how the technical staffing firm carries out its recruitment process and the channels used to promote the job posting.  The channels usually include job posting websites and extensive networking prowess to attract high-quality candidates or incredible persistence to perk the interest of passive candidates.  Understanding the hiring process will help you gauge whether the staffing agency can attract a well-qualified pool of applicants or not.  In addition to this, it is essential to review the procedures used to verify references and conduct background checks.

The fee structure and the guarantees

It is advisable to ask about the staffing agency’s fees and the placement guarantees offered.  Typically, the staffing agency will help determine the employee’s compensation, especially for contract assignments.  Some technical staffing firms charge a flat placement fee, while other companies charge based on the percentages of the potential employee’s wages.  This is usually tied to the It is good to understand all the details of the overall costs before settling on someone specific.