When to Work with Staffing and Recruiting Agencies, and Why?

Assume that you are the manager of a company that experiences a 50% increase in market demand for its product during the summer months. How would you manage the workforce to accommodate the increased production needs?

I came across this question in an economics class. Of course, my solution was to utilize a staffing agency’s services to facilitate this temporary need. It is a no brainer. You can’t risk exhausting the current workforce, and you don’t want to assume the unemployment risk when the uptick ends. There is a small window to meet this demand, so you can’t waste resources and time recruiting the new workforce. You need these employees now! If this is your problem, then you are not alone. Many businesses utilize staffing agencies to fill positions quickly and easily change the size of the workforce. In fact, according to the American Staffing Association: 

Courtesy of American Staffing Association

The economics question illustrates one reason organizations would utilize staffing and recruiting services. We understand that companies face many challenges when it comes to facilitating their workforce needs. For example, the most common reason businesses use staffing firms is for the opportunity to gauge employee fit before hiring. 

Courtesy of ASA

And why not? Hiring mistakes can be costly.

We understand that one size rarely fits all. This is why we created a recruiting process that is customizable to address a variety of problems. The idea that problems are unique shows how important listening is to our process. Kennedy Services has the tools and experience, but we don’t know why you are choosing to partner with a staffing company. Everyone has different motivators. One reason that businesses choose to partner with staffing companies that I have not mentioned is saving resources. Decision makers are busy enough as it is. Time is money. Do you really have time to solicit applicants, review resumes, contact candidates, etc.? Not to mention the cost to post an ad in the first place. 

Now back to the economics question. How would you answer?

Would you:

  • Place the burden on your current staff and risk production quality from overworked staff
  • Staff the need yourself and endure the unemployment costs
  • Partner with a staffing company

What is your reason for using a staffing company is the question? We are interested in knowing. The flexibility the staffing model provides would prove that all of your answers would be somewhat different. What are the reasons you choose not to utilize staffing services? Do you have a dedicated recruiting team? Does that provide you the same flexibility?

Another good question is, what do you look for in a staffing partner? For example, many businesses find us in search of a trusted MBE partner. They partner with us to fulfill their minority business requirements on government contracts. Some of the companies we work with are looking for someone to answer the phone outside standard business hours to handle emergencies.  

Whatever your reason is, we want to hear it from you. I know in time, we will prove the value in our ability to customize our recruiting effort to assist with all of your “reasons.”

Matt Sarant is a proud member of the Kennedy Services family. Kennedy Services is one of Maryland’s oldest independent, woman-owned staffing services, located in the heart of Baltimore City. Kennedy Services continues to partner with businesses to support their growing staffing needs. We remain open and are working hard for our essential workers, as well as people without jobs.