Temp Staffing And Recruitment Agency Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Labour Hire Agency - Labor Hire - Recruitment Agencies
The most common frequently asked questions (FAQs) asked by candidates and hirers can be found on this page.
- Job Seekers FAQ
- Recruitment Companies Services
- Temp Staffing And Recruitment Agency Services
- Current Contractors or Temp Employees FAQ
If your questions are not covered here or they are more specific, please do not hesitate to call Staffing us today. Our specialist temping team will be glad to provide you with the right answer!
Job Seekers FAQ
Why should I work with a recruitment company?
Working with staff agencies is just one of many ways of maximizing your chances of securing a new role. Staffing Agencies often act as the ‘middle-man’ identifying and connecting you with the hiring needs of companies. Around 20% - 50% of jobs are advertised by recruitment agencies so it is likely you will apply for a job advertised by staffing agencies on behalf of their clients. You should also register on multiple staffing agency websites by uploading your resume as staffing agencies will usually search their own database for candidates before advertising roles, whether they be permanent, temp or contract positions.
What is the difference between a recruitment agency and employment agency?
The distinction between recruitment agencies and employment agencies was historically based on recruitment agencies only offering recruiting services where they would source candidates on behalf of hirers who would then employ the candidates directly. In turn, employment agencies would offer temporary staff or contract staffing services where they would employ the candidate and then on-hire (or on-sell) the candidate to companies, charging a margin on top of the salary and direct employment costs. Most recruiters operate both services so the distinction is no longer as relevant as it may have been in the past.
Can I just email my resume directly to recruitment companies?
Most larger recruitment companies use sophisticated databases to search for an identify candidates that match the needs of employers. You need to register on staffing agency websites in order for your resume to be uploaded into their talent database. Applying for jobs on jobs board such as Seek or Indeed does not necessarily mean you have been registered on their database so it is often worthwhile both applying directly for roles and also registering on a recruitment agency website. For Staffing you should complete your personal details and upload your resume here Find Work Of course, you may be asked by recruitment agencies on occasions to email your resume directly. Sometimes this is because they want your resume in a MS Word (or similar editable) format so that they can remove your contact details from your resume in order to forward it to companies.
Can I just email my resume directly to recruitment companies?
Most larger recruitment companies use sophisticated databases to search for an identify candidates that match the needs of employers. You need to register on staffing agency websites in order for your resume to be uploaded into their talent database. Applying for jobs on jobs board such as Seek or Indeed does not necessarily mean you have been registered on their database so it is often worthwhile both applying directly for roles and also registering on a recruitment agency website. For Staffing you should complete your personal details and upload your resume here Find Work Of course, you may be asked by recruitment agencies on occasions to email your resume directly. Sometimes this is because they want your resume in a MS Word (or similar editable) format so that they can remove your contact details from your resume in order to forward it to companies.
What will Staffing do for me?
In simple terms, we work on behalf of thousands of recruiters throughout {{Country}} to attract suitably qualified candidates for their temporary and permanent vacancies. Staffing will match your skill set, personality compatibility and education and credentials against our clients’ recruiting needs. If you are the best fit then you may be shortlisted and invited for either a preliminary interview with Staffing, an interview directly with the our employer client or both before an offer of employment is made to the successful candidate.
Why register with Staffing?
With Staffing you will be partnering with a labour hire agency specialist. We understand the employment market and specific staffing needs of our clients. When you register with Staffing you gain access to FREE CareerController tools to assist you manage your career. You will not only become a candidate for more than 5,000 jobs advertised on Staffing every year, but also be matched with and be able to apply for millions of jobs sourced via our affiliate network.
The easiest way to register with Staffing is to clicking Find Work. You can also apply for jobs that we list on our website. Make sure you have updated your resume before starting the register for work process.What does a recruitment company do?
Recruitment Agencies operate on behalf of their clients the recruiters. Recruitment Companies are external service providers who source candidates for employers to employ directly. Employment Agencies also frequently offer temporary or contract staffing services where they on-hire (or 'on-sell') candidates, whom the staff agency employs, to their clients.
What should I expect from a recruitment agency if I am short-listed for a role?
The recruitment starts with the submission of your resume. From there you can expect from a recruitment consultant if your skills and experience best match with a vacancy being recruited for. If you aren’t judged to be the most suitable candidate your resume will be retained in their candidate talent database to be matched with future employment opportunities. The Recruiter will then strive to meet you before presenting your application to their client. Through the client’s interview process you’ll be supported by the recruitment agency with meeting preparation, continued communication, constructive feedback and salary negotiation advice.
Recruitment Companies Services
What are the qualities of a great recruiter?
Recruitment consultants, also known recruiters and resourcers (who just focus on candidates), are typically outgoing, sociable, organized, good communicators and motivated. They may specialize in permanent recruitment, temporary staffing, executive search (“head hunting”), specific role types (e.g. IT, engineering, accounting, change management, etc.) or be generalists running a “360 degree desk” (managing the sourcing of clients and candidates, recruiting process and achievement of budget gargets) with end-to-end responsibility. To be a successful recruitment consultant there are few top qualities that differentiate average recruitment consultants from great recruiters.
- Extrovert & Confident – There’s a reason that the industry tends to attract extroverts. Working as a recruiter involves a lot of interacting with people, whether it be on the phone or face-to-face. The industry tends to attract extroverts with a social confidence to engage with people at any level.
- Great Communication Skills – Recruiters are constantly on the phone, sending emails, writing job ads or providing feedback on position descriptions and employment contracts. They spend from the start of the day to the end of the day (and often in the evenings and weekends) communicating with clients and candidates in order to get the perfect match.
- Approachable & Good Listener – Recruiters need to be approachable and create long lasting genuine relationships. Candidates and even clients need to feel confident in expressing their personal opinions, reservations and concerns with someone whom they trust and who they feel is actively listening to them. A great recruiter’s ability to gain a deep insight into both the employer and candidate that really distinguishes them apart. This is essential in order to create a long-term relationship which ideally created with both employers and candidates (including those who were ultimately unsuccessful).
- Sales & Target Driven – Recruitment consultants must firstly sell their service to the employer and then they must sell the job to the candidate. As with any sales, both parties need to benefit from the process or they won’t proceed. The recruitment industry is very competitive with most recruiters employed on a base salary with commission or bonuses comprising a large percentage of their on-target earnings. If they are not achieving the results they won’t survive!
- Multi-Tasker & Super Organised – Recruiters need to work on a number of jobs at the same time, often with short-lead times. To be successful a good recruiter will need to juggle multiple tasks and projects simultaneously. Priories can be easily changed by clients requiring someone to start tomorrow or a candidate not showing up to their first day, so they must also be good at managing their time effectively under pressure.
- Patience – Things don’t always go to plan with dealing with people. Whether it is a candidate withdrawal, client changing their minds or leaving 20 messages without getting through to anyone, recruiters need to be flexible and patient. Typically, they are very conscience so it is also a personal challenge if they feel like candidates (and very occasionally clients) whom they trust to do the right thing let them down. It doesn’t happen very often but can be particularly frustrating when their reputation is at stake!
Staffing is always after fantastic Recruitment Consultants. If you believe you have the above qualities and are already (or might become) a fantastic recruitment consultant visit our Career Contact Us Form and include a link to your LinkedIn profile.
What happens when I contact a recruitment agency?
Normally you will be asked about your operation, your company's problems and your contact details. Role specific questions will also be asked regarding the preferred start date of the role, salary range, skills and experience requirements, working hours, interview preferences and the location. Usually the placement fee will be confirmed or hourly rate quoted on the phone for you to make a decision. This will also be confirmed via email along with a copy of the staffing agency terms of business (TOB) outlining the conditions of their services. There is no obligation to use their services at this stage, whereby the onus is on the recruitment agency to source fantastic candidates that meet your recruitment needs in order for them to be paid. Based upon your agreement to proceed with hiring a candidate or hiring temp staff, you we will be allocate the Staffing Consultant who will become your point of contact thereafter. If you have multiple roles, a primary Staffing Consultant will be appointed by Staffing who will liaise with other specialist consultants within the recruitment agency. Call Staffing today to outline your enterprise's needs and find out more about how our services can assist you.
Do you employment agencies offer replacement guarantees if things don’t work out?
Absolutely! We do expect candidates we have sourced to be very well matched to the roles. Staffing does however guarantee to provide you with an alternative candidate for the same position if the original candidate departs or is dismissed within 3 months. In our experience 3 months provides plenty of time for a candidate to settle nicely into the role. In our experience it’s unusual for carefully recruited and well matched candidate to leave a position. Perhaps our clients’ high retention rate is because we spend so much time carefully matching candidate achievements, experience, personality, aspirations and skills to your needs in order to source you the perfect candidate.
Do you employment agencies offer replacement guarantees if things don’t work out?
Absolutely! We do expect candidates we have sourced to be very well matched to the roles. Staffing does however guarantee to provide you with an alternative candidate for the same position if the original candidate departs or is dismissed within 3 months. In our experience 3 months provides plenty of time for a candidate to settle nicely into the role. In our experience it’s unusual for carefully recruited and well matched candidate to leave a position. Perhaps our clients’ high retention rate is because we spend so much time carefully matching candidate achievements, experience, personality, aspirations and skills to your needs in order to source you the perfect candidate.
What are the duties of a recruitment consultant?
Good communication skills are critical to a role as a recruitment consultant. Much of a recruitment consultant's work involves utilising advanced interpersonal skills to build rapport separately with employers and candidates, understand the needs and personality traits of both in order to determine whether there is a good match and then facilitate an interview process. Recruitment consultants assist employers to identify, select and recruit staff for their vacancies, and help individuals find and gain appropriate employment. Great marketing, sales and persuasion skills are critical to a job as a recruitment consultant. What does a recruitment consultant do? Recruitment consultants are also responsible for:
- interviewing and assessing prospective applicants and matching them with vacancies
- screening candidates and drawing up shortlists of candidates for clients to interview
- coordinating interviews
- creating and placing advertisements
- helping prepare applicants for interviews
- building relationships with clients
- negotiating employment contracts
- headhunting
The background and experience of recruitment consultants is varied with personal characteristics such as interpersonal skills, communication skills, confidence and initiative being the more common traits. For graduates, a degree in any discipline is acceptable for entry into the profession, although a qualification in a relevant subject such as human resources, marketing, psychology, business studies or management is beneficial. For specialist recruitment consultants, qualifications in IT, accountancy or engineering may be required. Key skills for recruitment consultants include:
- Verbal and written communication
- Good sales skills
- Drive & Determination
- Commercial awareness
- Advanced organisational skills
If you believe you have what it takes to be a fantastic recruitment consultant with Staffing visit our Career Contact Us Form and include a link to your LinkedIn profile. Join Staffing, one of the fastest growing recruitment companies in United States.
How much do staff agencies charge?
Other than executive search where an upfront retainer usually charged, recruitment agencies typically don’t charge any upfront fees unless they source a fantastic candidate who starts working for their clients. Recruitment Companies typically charge for permanent recruitment a placement fee of between 10% and 33% of the annual salary package of the candidate. For temporary staffing services the margin varies significantly based on such factors as the volume of work, length of the role, candidate salary rate and whether there is a preferred supplier agreement (PSA) in place, and with an average per hour margin of $8 to $42 per hour after direct employment costs. When calculating temp or contract margins a temp staffing and recruitment agency typically take into consideration such factors as:
- How many staff does the client require?
- What is the duration of assignment? (if not Permanent)
- What is the potential for repeat business?
- Will we be added to the Preferred Supplier List (PSL)? Will a Preferred Supplier Agreement (PSA) be put in place?
Contact Staffing today to speak to a Consultant about your organisation's hiring needs. Alternatively click on Find Staff or complete a Contact Us enquiry.
How is Staffing different to other recruitment agencies?
We are consistently ranked in the top 7 staffing agencies in {{Country}} for our experience, expertise and talent matching capability. Feedback from regular surveys of our clients and candidates is that our consistant delivery of service excellence stems from our focus on:
- Apply smarter staffing solutions that optimise employer and jobseekers outcomes
- Exceed customer expectations and add value at every interaction
- Quality, service and value will not be compromised
- Services expectations will be communicated, mutually agreed and continuously surpassed
- Innovation - I will embrace continuous learning. I will strive to continuously think outside the square.
- Excellence - I will strive to surpass the expectations of my colleagues and customers.
- Respect - I will treat all people with dignity and respect.
- Passion - I will aim to impact my passion onto my colleagues and clients.li>
- Teamwork - I will aim to build team work through sharing knowledge, valuing the insights of others and building on others ideas.
- Commitment - I will continuously demonstrate my commitment to myself, the company and the wider community to be the best I can be.
Contact Staffing to speak to a Consultant about your organisation's hiring needs.
We have a PSA or PSL in operation. How can I use Staffing?
Over the years we have worked with many companies where a Preferred Supplier List (PSL) or Preferred Supplier Agreement (PSA) is in place for employment services which does not include Staffing. Typically Staffing is approached by companies who are struggling to find suitable candidates through their normal employment partners. In this situation we always suggest that authority is first sort to work with Staffing. This may require us speaking to your commercial team so that agreement can be reached on commercial terms. We are happy to work with you to justify why Staffing should be engaged as your recruitment partner, whether it is on a one-off role or as an ongoing PSL or PSA recruiting partner. Whatever the scenario, if you need the best candidates give Staffing a call today so we can discuss your organisation's problems.
Temp Staffing And Recruitment Agency Services
How do temping agencies make their money?
Temp Staffing And Recruitment Agency make their money in different ways. They take a percentage of the temp staffing or contact salary. They also charge a placement fee to their clients of between 15% and 25% of the annual salary for any roles that go from temp-to-perm.
Do temp staffing employees get paid holidays?
No. You are casually employed by Staffing and receive a loading on your salary. You are not entitled to annual leave, sick leave or payment for public holidays.
Can temp work benefit my career?
Every temp assignment adds to your skills and demonstrates your ability to quickly adapt to new and varying working conditions and even industries. Ensure you regularly update your resume and online CareerController profile, including denoting that it was a ‘Contract’ role and listing your skills and achievements. If you excel as a temp you will also often find yourself being offered permanent roles by our clients. Often Staffing Consultant also find themselves as Referees to other employers and even agencies.
Can temp work benefit my career?
Every temp assignment adds to your skills and demonstrates your ability to quickly adapt to new and varying working conditions and even industries. Ensure you regularly update your resume and online CareerController profile, including denoting that it was a ‘Contract’ role and listing your skills and achievements. If you excel as a temp you will also often find yourself being offered permanent roles by our clients. Often Staffing Consultant also find themselves as Referees to other employers and even agencies.
How long does it take to hire a temp?
Typically for temp roles the notice period from employers to a temp staffing and recruitment agency would typically 3 to 7 days. For some roles such as reception, nursing, laborers and teachers where a staff member is sick, organisations will often call a temp staffing and recruitment agency on the day that they require someone. For contract and more senior role typically companies would provide 14 to 30 days' notice in order to secure sufficiently talented and experienced staff.
What is temp to perm?
‘Temp-to-perm’ is an industry terms for temp staffing assignments that start as temporary, but could lead to being permanently employment by our client. We often offer this type of role. A company will us to find a candidate to fill a role temporarily, with an eye to possibly making them permanent if they are suitable. Often your salary expectations would be communicated to the client by your Staffing Consultant at the outset of the assignment. There is never any guarantee that that a temp staffing role will go temp-to-perm and as a temp you are not obliged to accept a direct employment offer if one is made.
How long does a temporary job last?
Short-term temp positions might last 1 day or up to 2 weeks. When the role continues longer than about 5 weeks, a temp agency would typically consider the role long term with an increased chance that it may lead to the candidate being offered a permanent role with the client (temp-to-perm).
Why do companies hire temporary employees?
Temp Staffing And Recruitment Agency can quickly provide your organisation with skilled staff. Some common reasons companies hire temps are: employee annual leave or sickness, maternity or disability leave, staff sudden departure, unexpected or temporary demands, special projects, seasonal or peak periods or general employee shortages.
Current Contractors or Temp Employees FAQ
Will I be interviewed for a temp or contact role?
The type and number of interviews varies for different assignments. You will always be interviewed by a Staffing Recruitment Consultant, who may undertake a preliminary screening prior to a more in-depth interview regarding your personality, achievements, experience, skills and general suitability for a specific role. Clients may elect to start you immediately on our advice (particularly for urgent short-term assignments) or undertake a phone interview. For medium to longer term assignments, you would normally attend 1 or 2 rounds of onsite face-to-face interviews with our clients, followed by reference checks.
How much will I get paid?
The hourly rate is based on an agreed charge out rate with our client. Staffing will pay your salary, Superannuation, State Payroll Tax and Workcover and then make a small margin. This is agreed with your Staffing Consultant in advance of you accepting an assignment – including you having the right to specific your hourly salary and annual salary expectations (should there be an opportunity to switch to working directly for our client) - and generally doesn’t change unless the nature of the role changes or the assignment stretches over 10-months. If you believe the role you agreed to had changed please let us know. Your Staffing Consultant will be happy to look at rate increases if they are justified and we can secure agreement from our client. Remember your hourly rate is highly confidential (a condition of your employment) - as such you should only discuss it with your Staffing Consultant.
What happens if I am offered a role as a temp?
You will have already been interviewed by Staffing and also usually our client so you should already be aware of the hourly salary, location of the role and other details. In some cases where a role needs to be filled at short notice, a Staffing Recruitment Consultant will provide this information over the phone and then follow-up with an email. Please confirm your acceptance of the role via email. If you have not worked for Staffing you will receive a separate email inviting you to setup your bank, super, tax and personal details in our time-sheet payroll portal. Please ensure you do carefully do this, as you will thereafter be completing a weekly online time-sheet and paid on a fortnightly basis on every second Friday.
What happens if I am offered a role as a temp?
You will have already been interviewed by Staffing and also usually our client so you should already be aware of the hourly salary, location of the role and other details. In some cases where a role needs to be filled at short notice, a Staffing Recruitment Consultant will provide this information over the phone and then follow-up with an email. Please confirm your acceptance of the role via email. If you have not worked for Staffing you will receive a separate email inviting you to setup your bank, super, tax and personal details in our time-sheet payroll portal. Please ensure you do carefully do this, as you will thereafter be completing a weekly online time-sheet and paid on a fortnightly basis on every second Friday.
How often do temps or contractors get paid?
You will be paid by Staffing every second Friday. This means you are paid on the Friday for work completed both the week prior and 2 weeks prior. You are effectively been paid 1 or 2 weeks in arrears based on your time-sheet been approved by your supervisor. You will receive a pay slip with monies transferred out of Staffing's bank account Friday AM and transferred into your account over the course of the Friday (usually early in the morning with most banks).
How is my super contribution paid?
You can nominate any approved super fund when you setup your Staffing Payroll Profile. We will make superannuation contributions to your nominated super fund every 3-months. If you have not nominated a super fund you will be setup with a super account with our default super fund SunSuper who you can call directly on 13 11 84. You will receive information from SunSuper once your accounts is setup following their receipt of a super contribution from Staffing on your behalf.
How long do temp assignments normally last?
You will normally be told by your Staffing Recruitment Consultant advance of accepting the assignment how long the assignment is expected to last. We sometimes have 1-day assignments (e.g. assist with reception due to illness), 7 – 13 days (e.g. replace someone annual leave or during busy times), 2 – 4 week assignments (e.g. backup whilst our client employs someone, extended annual leave coverage, special projects) through to 3 – 10 month roles such as maternity leave contracts. Often the exact length of an assignment is not known by our clients and they will advise you whilst you are undertaking an assignment. We will ALWAYS try and provide you with as much notice as possible of when an assignment will end, ideally providing you with a new role or contract immediately thereafter. There are no guarantees however of the length of an assignment with our clients having the right to end the assignment at any stage (as long as they advise us the day prior or pay a minimum of 4-hours on a particular day) based on their own changing needs and your performance. It is not unusual for us to put a great temp or contactor into a 3-week role and 8-months later a full-time is being offered!
Will I get training as a temp?
You have normally been selected as you already possess the motivation, aspirations, skills and personality required to undertake the role. Our clients typically expect you to get up and running very quickly, particularly for short-term assignments or roles that don’t require much job specific systems or procured training. Even if you are a labour hire agency expert, we understand that every organization has its own systems and processes. If there is no formal training program available, ask if there is a manual you can read, whether you can ‘shadow’ someone already undertaking the role or who is the best person to ask questions of. Not only do you want to feel comfortable and confident in your role as quickly as possible, but it is in your best interests to make yourself indispensable to your supervisor and our client as fast as you can!
What happens on Day 1 of a temp assignment?
You should plan your route ensure you arrive at least 15 min early. Be well researched about the company (including reviewing their website), well briefed by your Staffing Recruitment Consultant and ensure you are calm and confident when arrive on Day 1. For most temp or contract roles you have already been selected because you already have the skills, personality, motivation and experience to undertake the role. You are therefore expected to get up and running very quickly, demonstrating straight away that you are motivated, hard-working, proactive and conscience. Our clients do not want someone who needs to be ‘task-managed’ or who is asking obvious questions about tasks that have already been explained. Our client needs to feel like they couldn’t survive without you after a few hours. This not only ensures your temp role will continue, but also maximizes your chances of securing additional work from Staffing or even the chance of being offered a full-time role, if you interested, working directly for our client.
What if I miss the timesheet deadline?
You should have submitted your time-sheet by 5pm on the Sunday each week you have worked. If you have missed your timesheet deadline please call your “&AE7&” Consultant immediately! Remember no approved timesheet no pay!
Do I have to wear a suit every time?
If in doubt, yes! Your Staffing Consultant should tell you what the working environment is like. It is better to be more formally dressed, until you are better informed and can see the general level of presentation of your colleagues.
Do temps get holiday pay?
No. You are casually employed by Staffing and are not therefore entitled to holiday pay, sick leave or to be paid for public holidays.
Do temps get holiday pay?
No. You are casually employed by Staffing and are not therefore entitled to holiday pay, sick leave or to be paid for public holidays.
What happens if I have a payroll question?
Firstly you can update and self-manage your own payroll profile. If you need to update your tax status, bank account details or super fund then please login into your Staffing Payroll Profile. If you have any concerns about your time-sheet approval please contact your Staffing Consultant. For issues with payment summaries, pay slips or the support of incorrect pay information please call Staffing and ask to be transferred to the Finance & Payroll Office. You can also submit any queries or concerns in the Payroll Contact Us Form and we will respond as quickly as possible. If you have any concerns or questions about your superannuation please contact your preferred fund directly. If you do not have a fund then please visit SunSuper or call 13 11 84.
Can I look for permanent work while I am temping?
Absolutely. Make sure your Staffing Consultant understands your needs, as we may be able to place you into a permanent position or even negotiate a temp-to-perm opportunity with the temp role you are currently working in.
Can I get time off?
Unless arranged in advance with your Staffing Consultant of you accepting a temp assignment, we would not expect you to need time off in short-term assignments (i.e. less than 3 weeks). If you are attending interviews for permanent jobs, they should be made outside of normal business hours where possible. Otherwise, always check with your Staffing Consultant first (not the client) no matter how little time off is needed so that we can liaise with our client.
What if I am sick?
Call, email or SMS your Staffing Consultant by 8am so that they can inform the client and if necessary, find a replacement. If you have been working long-term in a Temp or Contract role is also advisable to let your supervisor know directly via email, SMS or a call. Remember sick leave is not paid.
Can I use my mobile phone?
Of course, but not on the client's time! Make sure you get a voice mail facility set up, then you can turn the phone off. Listen to your messages during breaks! Receiving or making personal calls should be kept to emergencies only (e.g. call regarding sick children at school or childcare), having ideally notified your supervisor in advance and left your phone on silence or Do Not Disturb.