Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Use temp jobs for any position

Build a relationship with your temporary agency to save time and resources educating a new agency every time you need help. A full service temporary staffing agency will know your company well and should be able to send you qualified staffing at a moment's notice.

I recommend: Work with staffing agencies that have a global reach or are proficient in a number of specialties that you can find through the Worldwide Recruiting Network of the National Personnel Associates. Follow industry news through the organization’s newsletters and events. Work with members of the Society for Human Resource Management who can keep you informed of the latest available staffing techniques and options.

Choose online temporary work agencies

Look for niche agencies that put all of their efforts in one pot and can often bring more experience to the table that can help you get more from your personnel budget. Consider hiring a staffing agency that specializes in your industry and the kinds of workers that you need on a regular basis.

I recommend: Temp Net is a great source on contacts for temp agencies and the services they are prepared to deliver. The Outsourcing Network is on top of the latest temporary staffing issues and can bring you in contact with those on the cutting edge of the new business paradigm that is changing the human resource industry.

Get the most from working with temp agencies

There is still a vibrant market in the temp to hire arena because employers can use the time to get to know an employee before making a final offer. At the same time, the worker can evaluate the job and the company to see if it fits her requirements. You should consider using a stable temporary agency with experience dealing with temp to hire workers.

I recommend: Use the National Association of Physician Recruiters to find temporary medical personnel to fill in for specialized needs or to find a firm that will set up a temp to hire contract for you. Information about technical outsourcing and temporary businesses is available in bulk from the National Association of Computer Consultant Businesses, a place you can go to learn about all the temporary IT options any company could need.

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  When you are working with temporary work agencies, ask for a guarantee or option to back out of an agreement if they do not supply the quality of worker that they promised.

Guide to Finding and Hiring Temps

Save time and money when you fill personnel gaps with temps

By Matt Alderton

Consider alternatives — such as temps — to get all the benefits of full-time help, without all the costs. It's time to hire help when:

1. You and your employees are overworked
2. Simple tasks are preventing you from completing more important ones
3. You're in need of someone with special skills to contribute to a new project

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Determine your needs

Before hiring anyone, you must identify your exact needs. Evaluate your goals and resources to decide whether or not existing staff can accomplish a job. Do you want to hire a temp directly yourself, or work through a temp agency?

I recommend: Get started by reviewing the "Temporary help checklist" from the CCH Business Owner's Toolkit.

Identify costs

Temps in many cases will be cheaper than full-time hires — but if you work through a temp agency, there will be additional costs. Research the costs of hiring extra help, and remember the benefits you'll incur.

I recommend: Compare temp rates with the average salary of a comparable full-time hire. Salary.com's Salary Wizard offers a good means of comparison.

Locate a temp agency in your area online

Locate temps by acting on referrals, placing job ads online or in the newspaper, or by working with a temporary employment agency.

I recommend: Locate a temp agency at the American Staffing Association's (ASA) member database, where you can search for staffing agencies by location, skills and services offered.

Interview candidates

Interview temps just as you would permanent employees. Check references and employment history to make sure a candidate is not only qualified, but a good fit in terms of personality and character. One advantage to working through an agency is that they do this for you.

I recommend: Learn to give successful interviews with tips from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA).

Comply with tax and employment laws that apply to temps

Be cautious when contracting temporary employees; pay attention to a temp's legal status and make sure they aren't eligible for the same benefits you give your permanent employees.

I recommend: Are your temps employees or contractors? Find out what the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) says they are.

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Watch for likely full-time employees; the best temps will be an ideal addition to your permanent team.
• •  Retain temps by treating them like part of your business family; turnover is costly among full-time employees, and it's no cheaper among temporary ones.
• •  Temps are ideal for basic office work, including data entry, reception duties and other clerical tasks. Some agencies, however, specialize in temps with unique skill sets, including legal, technical and creative expertise.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Share information with other temporary staffing users

Blogs are increasingly becoming the media of choice for many small business owners looking for quick and efficient means to communicate with other like-minded professionals. Find an Internet blog that provides trust-worthy information and attracts reliable posting participants.

I recommend: Find regular informative updated articles at the news portal used by Office Team. Staff Digest has some great advice and follows the latest forces driving the temp industry and how they relate to small business owners.

Read up on changes in temporary hiring agencies

Temporary staffing issues continue to dominate many of the HR publications available online. Watch for email alerts from your temporary agency because it's a good idea to stay on top of the industry as a whole so that you can know about changes that may provide great opportunities for your business.

I recommend: Stay on top of all the latest statistics and trends affecting the industry by following the news and publications put out by the American Staffing Association. The National Association of Personnel Services is another great source of trends, survey results and informative news features as well as networking opportunities.

Receive agencies for temporary staffing email alerts

You should allow at least one information provider to send you email alerts about new temporary staffing products and ideas so that you can take appropriate action to keep your changing staffing needs covered.

I recommend: Plan to stay informed with regular updates from the Staffing Industry Analysts. Keep up with the changing staffing environment by joining and getting involved with Society for Human Resources Management.

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Set your Internet search parameters to keep you updated with other sources of temp agencies news and trends from traditional media such as Forbes and Fast Company, the Wall Street Journal or Business Week.