Who doesn’t love a vinyl record with a good “B” side? Growing up, I gained an appreciation for both sides of a record because the artist’s classic sound on the A side balanced the often experimental and complementary offerings on its B side.
When thinking about the ideal staffing versus corporate recruiting relationship, that’s what I imagine. Fortunately, I have experienced this equilibrium in my 18 years as a talent leader, working with great partners that separated themselves from the rest. These five great characteristics underscore what sets good staffing partners apart:
Understanding clients’ needs. Good staffing partners take the time to understand the unique needs and culture of their clients. For example, they take the time to prepare in advance, do research and conduct a proper requisition kickoff. By doing so, they go beyond just filling roles, instead providing talent solutions that align with the client’s long-term goals and strategic objectives.
In addition, having a deep understanding and knowledge of the client’s industry enables staffing partners to source candidates who not only have the necessary skills but also align with the specific industry dynamics and workplace environment. Having this understanding could help diversify the candidate pool by presenting candidates with applicable transferable skills.
Proactive communication. Clear and transparent communication is essential. Good staffing companies keep their clients informed about the progress of recruitment processes, potential challenges and any adjustments needed. This aids in building trust and maintain a strong partnership.
Establishing a continuous feedback loop also ensures that both the corporate recruiting team and the staffing partner are aligned in their goals. Regular check-ins and debriefs contribute to the improvement of the overall recruitment strategy.
Quality processes. Effective staffing partners emphasize the quality of candidates as well as focusing on overall fit. They conduct thorough screening processes to ensure candidates meet the technical requirements of the role while aligning with the company’s values.
Instead of short-term fixes, solid staffing partners build relationships that align for the long term. Because they understand that placing candidates who are motivated by the organization’s culture and values leads to higher retention rates, they will take the time to explore candidates’ motivations beyond compensation, ensuring a stronger fit and more successful placement.
Innovative recruiting strategies. Adapting to new technologies, sourcing strategies and industry trends sets staffing companies apart. One way they do this is by utilizing software as a tool and establishing candidate relationships that truly build a talent community, which can help foster an engaged pipeline for clients. Those innovative strategies attract and engage top talent and put them at the forefront of cutting-edge recruiting practices.
A data-driven approach is also important; leveraging data for talent acquisition helps in making informed decisions. Staffing partners who use data to analyze the effectiveness of their strategies and make improvements tend to do better than others.
Dedicated management. Having a focused point of contact — a dedicated manager or team — fosters a strong and personalized relationship between the staffing company and the corporate recruiting team. This ensures that there is a clear understanding of the company’s needs, leading to more efficient and effective collaboration.
Quick response times to questions and concerns showcase a commitment to customer service. A staffing partner that provides responsive support demonstrates reliability and a dedication to meeting the needs of the company.
A successful staffing relationship is built on understanding, communication, quality, innovation and dedicated support. Staffing companies that are successful in these areas stand out as valuable partners, complimenting your talent acquisition process. Some companies see staffing companies as their adversaries, but sometimes a great staffing partner is the best B side you can ask for
