Temp Agencies have actually been around much longer than most people think, with the very first being opened by Henry Robinson in 1653. Since they have opened, the question continues to beckon – is a temp agency worth it?
To get your answer you first need to distinguish from what perspective you are making your decision and we have provided a summary of the benefits for you below as a candidate or client:
As a Client:
- KNOWLEDGE – An Account Manager with Specific sector knowledge and up to date job market knowledge. Your account manager needs to know your business inside and out, what your competitors do and the ins and outs of the roles you are hiring for. A tour of your site is a great way to help consultants see roles in more detail
- AVAILABILITY – Access to a much larger pool of candidates as recruiters will spend more money than a standard company to advertise on multiple platforms and spend additional money boosting their jobs to a wider audience. Agencies will also accrue registered candidates over time and their reach will continue to grow to the market you need to work for you
- TIME SAVER – Using an agency should be a time saver, they can handle the advertising, vetting, interviewing and in some cases on site inductions for your business. You can then funnel your communications through the Consultant, leaving less stress and people management during the hiring process
- FLEXIBILITY – Most companies have peak periods where they need extra staff on addition to the standard overtime solutions. A temp agency can provide you with a solutions to hire staff when busy and remove the cost when your businesses volumes drop down. Short notice absences can be covered in the same manner
- TRY BEFORE YOU BUY – The majority of temp agencies will offer a 12 week temp to perm solution where you can see what a candidate can do on the job before you commit to hiring them for your business
As a Candidate:
- GET BACK INTO WORK – Agencies can be a great way to get yourself back into a permanent role. Temp Staff have the opportunity to showcase their skills, reliability and work ethic to one or more clients, and a lot of clients wont miss an opportunity to let a good worker slip by. The longer you stay in a temp role at one company the more invaluable you become to that organisation
- BUILD YOUR SKILLSET – Companies will often hire on a temp basis for unskilled workers and this can be a great opportunity to build your skill set and potentially set you on the way to completing courses that expand on your qualifications and CV
- FLEXIBILITY – When you register with an agency, be as honest as you can about what shifts, days and hours you are able to work. Agencies will then do their best to find a role that meets your needs and this can give you a great work life balance for any short-term commitments out side of work
- FIND YOUR NICHE – Particularly in the peak season for Warehousing and Manufacturing companies at the end of the year, workers will have an opportunity to try a variety of roles through their agency. Seize on the opportunity to try a role you haven’t done before. If you are younger and haven’t had a chance to experience difference roles it will let you find the position which suits you best
- ACCESS MORE JOB OPENINGS – When agencies have roles to fill, particularly with new clients, they will always go to their most reliable staff first. By registering with agencies and being one of those reliable candidates, you have the opportunity to hear about more roles than most. Some agencies will not even advertise some of their roles and will do it by text, email or phone calls to their top staff, that could be you!
