Top 8 Qualities Your Staffing Agency Should Look for in Candidates

Are you interested in learning the secrets to keeping your best employees while bringing on awesome new ones? Hiring and retaining qualified employees can be tough for staffing agencies. While you may easily find candidates with the technical skills required for the job, discovering a contender who is loyal, goal-oriented and outgoing may be more challenging. Although there is no easy formula to finding the perfect employee, looking for candidates who possess these traits will put your staffing agency on the road to success. Staffing agencies can facilitate direct hire positions to ensure a long-term employment relationship with candidates who possess these traits.

Tips for Staffing Agencies When Managing the Recruitment Process

Communication

Effective verbal and non-verbal communication skills are valuable and necessary in the work place. While employees can be trained to improve their communication skills, staffing agencies should hire candidates that already excel in this area.

Goal Oriented

Goal setting should not only be for current employees but for potential candidates as well. It’s necessary to talk about the applicant’s future within the role before you hire them. During the interview, ask about their short and long-term goals and inform them about the objectives of the position. Hiring ambitious individuals can be challenging but is beneficial for improving the quality of hire.

Dependability

Dependability is an important quality for an employee to possess because it means you can not only trust them to show up to work consistently and on-time, but you can also count on them for the quality and amount of work they complete. Dependability helps employees avoid company-wide layoffs because often times, an employer will choose dependable employees over unreliable ones during times of uncertainty.

Flexibility

Flexibility is a timeless skill occupied by successful employees. Companies are constantly changing and evolving their processes to make them better and more effective. Hiring and retaining employees who adapt well to changes will ultimately allow these developmental shifts to be completed much faster and more efficiently. Additionally, a flexible recruiting process is crucial to adapt to the specific needs and requirements of clients, providing tailored solutions that enhance the overall client experience.

Likability/Personality

When hiring, staffing agencies must analyze the personalities of the candidates they are seeking. Personality is one of the many drivers of behavior, and it is consistent over time. Although you may only be interviewing someone for 1 hour, their personality will likely not change once you hire them. A good staffing agency understands a company’s culture and ensures timely fulfillment of positions, aligning with the company’s values and avoiding delays with unavailable candidates.

Leadership ability

A candidate’s leadership ability stems from how adequate their communication skills are. Staffing agencies should keep in mind that successful leaders are effective communicators. Sufficient written and verbal communication skills help leaders convey their messages and expectations in a way others can easily understand.

Team Worker

There are very few, jobs that don’t require team work. When hiring new employees, staffing agencies should ensure the candidates are productive when working on a team. Most employees enjoy working with others but it’s certainly something to ask when interviewing.

Creativity

Staffing agencies should bring in creative employees who use new solutions to solve reoccurring problems. Creative people find new opportunities to help the organization grow and evolve. Innovative employees ask questions about an organization’s processes and procedures before customers may think of them. Visionary employees are vital to a business’s success.

Hiring candidates who possess these traits will help your staffing agency retain employees. Taking time to thoroughly interview and assess applicants will better ensure you hire the right person. While there is no guarantee that an employee will stay with your agency forever, these personality characteristics makeup successful and hard-working individuals.

Essential Qualities for Candidates

When searching for the ideal candidate, staffing agencies and hiring managers look for a combination of skills, traits, and qualities that make a candidate stand out from the rest. Here are some essential qualities that can make a candidate a top contender for a job opening:

Communication Skills

Effective communication is critical in any profession, and customer service employees are no exception. Candidates with excellent communication skills can articulate their thoughts clearly, listen actively, and respond appropriately to customer inquiries. Staffing agencies and hiring managers look for candidates who can communicate complex information in a simple and concise manner, both verbally and in writing.

Problem-Solving Skills

Customer service employees often encounter complex problems that require creative solutions. Candidates with strong problem-solving skills can analyze situations, identify root causes, and develop effective solutions. Staffing agencies and hiring managers look for candidates who can think critically, approach problems with a logical mindset, and provide innovative solutions.

Adaptability and Flexibility

In today’s fast-paced business environment, adaptability and flexibility are essential qualities for customer service employees. Candidates who can adapt quickly to changing situations, priorities, and technologies are highly valued. Staffing agencies and hiring managers look for candidates who can pivot when necessary, remain calm under pressure, and maintain a positive attitude in the face of uncertainty.

Positive Attitude and Energy

A positive attitude and energy can make a significant difference in a customer service role. Candidates who exude enthusiasm, empathy, and a genuine desire to help others are highly sought after. Staffing agencies and hiring managers look for candidates who can maintain a positive demeanor, even in challenging situations, and provide a warm and welcoming experience for customers.

Teamwork and Collaboration

Customer service employees often work in teams to resolve complex issues and provide seamless support to customers. Candidates who can collaborate effectively with colleagues, share knowledge and expertise, and support each other in achieving common goals are highly valued. Staffing agencies and hiring managers look for candidates who can build strong relationships with colleagues, communicate effectively, and contribute to a positive team culture.

By focusing on these essential qualities, staffing agencies and hiring managers can identify top candidates who possess the skills, traits, and qualities necessary to excel in customer service roles. By incorporating these qualities into the recruitment process, businesses can build a strong team of customer service employees who can provide exceptional support to customers and drive business success.

Let EZ Staffing fill all your factoring needs to help you with the recruitment process!