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TIPS FOR SELECTING AN IT STAFFING FIRM
Staffing companies provide a wide range of business solutions - Temporary help, permanent placement, "temp to perm," contract staff, outsourcing, training, and consulting combine to offer businesses the skills and people necessary to keep ahead. Studies show that 90% of U.S. companies use staffing services.
How can an IT staffing firm help your business? As new technology drives the need for highly skilled employees, business is turning to IT staffing companies for help in locating and attracting high-quality people. Business and industry are under increased pressure to:
- Locate the right employees to cope with fluctuating workloads
- Match unique skills to new product and service opportunities
- Find solutions to the increasing regulatory complexities of managing a modern work force
Whether you have a temporary need for a certain skill set, experience implementing a particular project, or a full time position, an experienced IT staffing firm can economically and quickly fill the void.
TIPS FOR SELECTING AN IT STAFFING FIRM
All IT staffing firms are not equal. Here are some questions you can ask a potential firm before you ask for their assistance in staffing for your company.
1. Do they have direct experience in staffing for the Technology industry?
Let's face it - Technology is so rapidly changing that it's a full time job to keep up with it. That's why it's vital that you work with a firm that specializes in knowing the technology industry. Look for who knows the business of placing IT contractors and who has a track record of success. Because technology projects are often contracted out, many staffing firms have added technology to their list of services simply to jump on the bandwagon. When you list the skills that you want in a person, are they simply doing a keyword search on their database of applicants or do they have personal understanding of the skill sets you seek? Knowledge of the community's technical marketplace is a plus.
Veredus Corporation's recruiters and account managers are all experienced in the technology-recruiting field. They personally interview the applicants, one by one, helping them assess their skills and job desires to match it with the right opportunity. In addition, Veredus Corporation is actively involved with and experienced with the technical communities of Central Florida, the Tampa Bay area, and Atlanta in the Southeast.
2. How does the company recruit and retain its qualified and reliable work force?
Does the company collect resumes any way it can to look like a company that can deliver? Be careful of companies that cite the Internet as their source for recruiting. While convenient, the lack of personalization and depth of knowledge of the applicant will eventually end up as your problem. A staffing firm should never send a resume to you without the candidate's prior knowledge and approval. Additionally, does the firm offer training or offer to help pay for advanced training of their consultants? When a company takes an active interest in their consultants, they are showing their commitment to them and to you.
Veredus Corporation uses the Internet only as a tool for assisting in the process of recruiting and pre-qualifying consultants. Our main focus of recruiting is still based on personal, one on one conversations and interviews. Our recruiters practice the "cold call" method of recruiting - locating the right person for your opportunity, whether they are actively seeking a new job or not. In addition, Veredus Corporation makes an investment in our consultants. We promise them that we will secure their resumes in confidentially. They will always be asked if they are interested in a potential opportunity before their resume is released. We also offer a complete benefits package, and encourage continuing education of our consultants and assist in enhancing their skill set. We believe in a long-term outlook, which is in everyone's best interest. As a result, our consultants stay on with us and prefer to work with Veredus Corporation's clients.
3. What steps do they take to pre-qualify candidates before you interview?
Before you spend time interviewing a potential candidate, you want to be sure that this person is honestly reflected in their resume. Many candidates look good on paper... but is the information truthful and accurate? What guarantees has the staffing firm provided you with? Are you also provided with any other information on this person besides a resume? References or test results are helpful in deciding if an interview is warranted. Background tests and drug tests are important as well. Also, find out if the staffing company carries workers' compensation for its employees and the limits of the policy.
Always looking for better ways through the process, Veredus Corporation is very selective with the candidates that it presents to you. First of all, each consultant is personally interviewed with a recruiter and takes an on-line skills assessment test through Prove It! online testing. We also perform background and reference checks. When we select a candidate for you to interview, you are provided with their resume, Prove It! results, and information obtained from the references check. Plus, the consultants are briefed on your company and the job opportunity prior to the interview. This helps both of you to have an informative interview.
4. How quickly can they fulfill your requests?
Response time is important, but so is quality. A staffing firm that makes unrealistic promises to fill your opportunity may be too good to be true. However, a staffing firm that quickly responds to your request and begins to act on it is acting in your best interest. Responsiveness is key. You should expect feedback and expect your agent to be responsive to your query.
Veredus Corporation is very responsive and flexible to your needs. Should you have an immediate need to fill a special or unusual circumstance, our account managers are available and ready to assist you in the manner that you need. Our clients speak very highly of our ability to respond quickly and to be flexible.
5. Will they assign an on-site representative or site manager to your account? What services will they perform after the contract has started/ended?
If more than a few contractors from a firm work at a client site, it is helpful to have a manager or designated contractor who handles problems that may arise. Once you have the contractor(s) on site, will the staffing firm follow up on the work that is being done? What plans do they have to ensure that the work being performed is as promised?
Veredus Corporation works actively with you throughout the term of your contract with temporary and contract employees. Through constant communication with you and the consultants, we chart the progress of the project toward completion. Our account managers will often be on site to resolve any problems and to ensure a timely outcome of the projects. Afterwards, we will meet with you to review the project. With full time hires, we will contact you and the employee throughout a 6-month period to ensure that both parties' expectations are being met.
6. Do they have a client list or references that can be checked to determine their credibility in the IT staffing industry?
Talk to other companies in your same industry about whether a staffing firm is ethical and professional. A firm's reputation is usually accurate. Call their references and discuss the aspects of the project or hire. Use some of the questions above to determine if they met these guidelines.
Veredus Corporation has a list of industry references who have offered to discuss the details of their projects with any potential clients. This reference list is available by calling us at (813) 936-7004.
7. What organizations is the staffing firm a member of?
Membership in various community and technology-related organizations demonstrates that the company is active in the marketplace and is representing itself as a dedicated IT staffing firm. It shows that they have committed to abide by the highest ethical standards in the industry and is up-to-date on all the latest developments and trends.
Veredus Corporation is active in the Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce and the Tampa Bay Technology Forum.
8. Will the company do a presentation for you and your management team?
After speaking with representatives from three or four firms that you feel may meet your needs, ask for presentations. This is your chance to gain as much information as possible about the company, including answers to many of the questions posed here.
Please contact your local Veredus office for a personal presentation by our account managers. We would be happy to discuss how we can help you overcome the technological challenges that you face.
9. How do they communicate with their consultants and clients?
Check out their Web sites. They should be informative, up-to-date and easy to use. The web site should show its service to clients and what it's promising to its client base, and information for its consultants, including current job postings. A good website shows the investment the firm makes to both the client and contractor.
Telephone or email the staffing firms, and you'll get your first clue as to their business style. If you're treated brusquely or do not receive a response, it's not a good sign. Remember, the staffing firm is the employer. Their management practices greatly affect the quality of the employees who come into your offices. They recruit, hire and train their staff, so make sure you are dealing with a professional, capable organization.
Whether you email, call or drop by our offices, you will be greeted by a professional at Veredus Corporation who has one goal in mind - your success. Whatever your need may be, we will work with you to quickly respond to it. From our receptionist to our recruiters to our account managers, everyone at Veredus Corporation is working for a positive match between client and consultant. You will witness this first hand when you work with us. Please visit our newly-redesigned website at www.vereduscorp.com for the latest information about Veredus Corporation and for articles, tips and job postings.
In Conclusion:
The critical element in your working relationship is the quality of staffing help you receive. Reliance on a reputable and capable IT staffing company can be an important management tool for your business. A little investigation and observation beforehand can save you time and money and result in a long-lasting business relationship.
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