How to Get Staffing Agencies to Prioritize Your Jobs

Working with a staffing agency can be a great way to find the right talent for your team quickly and efficiently. However, as most staffing agencies work on a contingent basis, they have to prioritize the jobs they work on.

So how can you ensure that your jobs are the ones that get the attention? Here are some strategies you can use to get staffing agencies to prioritize your jobs. 

Set Realistic Expectations

It’s important to set realistic expectations about the type of candidate you are looking for. If you’re looking to hire an aerospace engineer with 30 years of experience for $10/hour, also known as a “purple squirrel“, you’re bound to have a tough time getting results from any staffing agency. Jobs that have overly specific requirements are difficult to fill and therefore less likely to be prioritized. It can be tough to let go of the ideal, but by setting realistic expectations you increase the chances of finding suitable candidates while also increasing the likelihood that the staffing agency will prioritize your jobs.

Stay Consistent with the Job Market

Staying consistent with the job market is crucial to your success in hiring. For example, if the job responsibilities are not aligned with the market job title, it can be confusing for candidates and the staffing agency may have a harder time finding the right fit for the position. Ensuring that the job title and responsibilities of the position are consistent with the market standards makes it easier for the staffing agency to search for candidates with the right experience and qualifications.

Similarly, it’s important to ensure that the compensation for the position is competitive and aligned with the market. Compensation is a key factor in attracting top talent and if the compensation is not competitive, finding suitable candidates will be nearly impossible.

By ensuring that the responsibilities of the position are consistent with the market job title and that the compensation is competitive, companies can make their job more attractive to potential candidates. This, in turn, will increase the chances of the staffing agency prioritizing the job as they will see that it’s a desirable opportunity for candidates.

Provide Quick Feedback

This one is simple. Time is of the essence when working with a staffing agency. Providing quick feedback on resumes, interviews, and candidates shows the staffing agency that you are serious about filling the position. This will help to build a strong working relationship with the staffing agency and increase the chances of getting your job prioritized.

Feedback from the hiring manager is another key to success. Have you ever played the game of “Telephone” where you have a line of people sharing a specific bit of information starting with the first person, only to hear that what’s been shared with the last person is completely different than the way it started? When Agencies get feedback directly from the hiring manager, they will benefit from accurate information and the ability to ask clarifying questions.

Present an Attractive Company Culture

Your company’s reputation and culture also play a major role in attracting the best talent which is why it’s important to present an attractive company culture. This is easier said than done as creating an attractive company culture requires lots of intentionality and can take time to accomplish. However, staffing agencies are more likely to prioritize jobs with companies that have strong employer branding and a positive reputation.

In a nutshell, if you want to get the most out of working with a staffing agency, it’s important to be strategic and work collaboratively with them. Set realistic expectations about the job, stay consistent with the job market, provide quick feedback, and present an attractive company culture. By following these simple tips, you can create a successful working relationship with the staffing agency and increase the chances of finding the perfect candidates for your company.