7 Things to Look for in a Staffing Agency

WSI Staffing Blog - 5 THINGS TO LOOK FOR IN A STAFFING AGENCY

Let’s face it – not all staffing firms are created equal. That’s why when it comes time to enlist the help of a temp agency  – you should pick one suited for your unique needs.

As a job seeker, check these seven things off your list when choosing a staffing agency to work with: 

They have openings in your field of interest

There are many staffing firms to choose from, so choose one with expertise in your field. If you’re in search of clerical work – choosing an agency like WSI that specializes in industrial positions probably won’t pay off for you in the long run. Double-check with your agency before coming in for an interview to make sure you’re both on the same page. 

They have an onsite representative

When navigating between your employer and agency, there can be some disconnect. It’s important to look for a staffing firm that has a representative onsite at your company (Hint: WSI does). These representatives coach, counsel, and assist you with any questions or concerns you may have. They also are a huge help when it comes to onboarding and orientation procedures. 

They don’t charge for their services

Never sign with a staffing firm that asks you to pay for job placement. Reputable staffing firms don’t charge job seekers for their services.

Fun Fact: Reliable agencies charge the employer for their services, not job seekers. Curious about other staffing agency myths? Head here. 

They offer the option to be hired-in

If you’re looking for long-term work, choose an agency with temp-to-hire opportunities. This means there’s a greater chance you can be hired in permanently with good work performance and attendance. 

Fun Fact: In addition to temp-to-hire, WSI also offers direct hire opportunities when available. 

They offer benefits

Weekly pay, Medical benefits, vacation days, etc. These are all benefits you should look for in your job search. 

Fun Fact: WSI offers all of these, plus incentive programs! Check out our latest Free Rent Referral Program. 

Applying is a cinch 

Besides the guidance, coaching, and connections working with an agency comes with, a streamlined process is one of their biggest advantages. Your agency should be doing everything in their power to make the process fast, easy, and relatively painless. Ask your Staffing Coordinator what the process will look like beforehand to ensure you’re prepared for the next steps. 

The reviews speak for themselves

The proof is in the pudding… or in this case, the Google Reviews. You can easily get a feel for other people’s experience with the staffing agency by looking at the reviews left on the company’s Google page. These reviews will give you perspective on the good, bad, and ugly from current and past associates. 

Extra points if the company responds to reviews! Like this one from WSI 😉

Choosing a staffing agency isn’t rocket science, but it’s a smart idea to give it some thought. 

Any questions about what WSI offers? Head here.

Turnover is a symptom, not a diagnosis

WSI Staffing Blog - Turnover is a symptom not a diagnosis

While turnover is an important metric, it often doesn’t paint the bigger picture when it comes to KPIs (Key Performance Indicators). High turnover is just one of the many symptoms of chronic disease. If we did a full scan, we’d likely find additional underlying symptoms that are beyond any staffing agency’s control. Things like low pay rates, companies not hiring people in, employees not getting a full week’s pay due to an equipment malfunction shutting a line down, and poor relationships with supervisors.

What we’ve found, however, is that we can control KPIs that drive toward reduced training and OT costs, like:

Manager Satisfaction

“People don’t leave their jobs, they leave their managers.” People are more likely to leave a company if they feel things aren’t being handled fairly at work. Managers are the ones who can align people and create positive feelings within their team and company – so use that to your advantage. 

Quality of Candidates

Employees who are placed in jobs that are too difficult for them or whose skills are underutilized may become discouraged and quit. By carefully studying the requirements for the job and asking applicants the proper prerequisite qualifications, you can minimize the chances of this happening. 

Engagement between the Associate and their Supervisor

Employees need guidance and direction – especially new ones! The absence of proper training (and communication) from a supervisor may cause employees to fall behind in their performance and feel they lack the ability to do their job. 

Satisfaction – the associate actually likes being there!

The nature of the job itself contributes just as much as the manager towards an employee’s decision to leave. It’s important to note that although you may feel you can’t change the work itself – you can still give a sense of independence, more feedback, and a feeling of involvement in any role. 

Taking a look a the underlying symptoms and addressing them will ultimately lead to an increase in productivity.  So, what is your current productivity performance and how is it trending v. target? How are standards of performance measured for contingent staff within your organization?

The Importance of Filling out Tax Forms (Properly)

When you get a job through WSI, one of the pieces of paperwork you’ll fill out is IRS form W-4. The purpose of a W-4 is so that WSI can withhold the correct federal income tax from your pay. 

Why is the W-4 important?

It’s extremely important to fill out this form correctly because the IRS requires people to pay taxes on their income gradually throughout the year. If you don’t fill out the form properly, it could result in owing a surprisingly large amount in April. Additionally, you could also face penalties for underpaying your taxes during the year (and nobody wants that). 

On the contrary, if you withhold too much tax, your paychecks will be smaller than what you’re used to. 

When determining how much to withhold, the IRS Online Withholding Calculator can help provide an accurate depiction based on your current situation. 

When should I file a new form?

Starting a new job is one situation where you would need to fill out a new W-4. Other situations that might warrant a change to your W-4 include having a child or picking up a second job. It’s also important to note that you may change your form at any time, not only when you have a life-changing event. If you identify that you are having too little or too much in taxes withheld, it’s not the end of the world – you can still make a change!

The Bottom Line

It’s important to take the time to calculate your withholdings properly. By doing so, you’ll avoid having to pay penalties at tax time and will keep as much of your earnings as possible. 

At the end of the day, we don’t know your full tax situation. If you have questions about your withholdings please refer to the IRS Online Withholding Calculator. Happy calculating!