Home » Guides » Employees » Hiring » Finding and Hiring Temps

Matt Alderton

Guide to Finding and Hiring Temps

Save time and money when you fill personnel gaps with temps

By Matt Alderton, Writer, Editor and Media Consultant, Logolepsy Custom Content and Communications

Small business owners are famous for their can-do attitudes and do-it-yourself spirits. But even entrepreneurs need help sometimes. Hiring full-time employees can be expensive, however, when you consider the taxes, benefits and insurance costs on top of salaries.

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.

Tips & Tactics
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.

The official source of Finding and Hiring Temps is the Temp Agencies page at Business.com

Aerotek Temporary Staffing Services
Offering temporary staffing services to fill short-term needs. We work with you to meet seasonal requirements. Contact Aerotek today!
Permanent Work | Temporary Work
www.Aerotek.com
Staffing and Personal Opportunities Quotes
Submit a request to compare franchise opportunities quotes from multiple vendors. Free, No obligation.
www.AllOptions.com
Find The Best Franchise Opportunities For You
Featuring some of the Nation's Fastest-Growing Franchises. Search Hundreds Of Options Today!
Franchise List | Low Investment | Top Franchises
www.Bison.com/Franchises
Staffing & Personnel Franchises
Offers an online franchise directory featuring franchise opportunities, guidance, and information. Includes a variety of personnel franchises.
Employment | Training | Home Based
FranchiseDirect.com

Recommended Solution Providers

Kelly Services
Offers staffing solutions that include temporary staffing services, staff leasing, outsourcing, vendor on-site and full-time placement.

Stivers Staffing Services
One-stop staffing company specializing in temporary, temp-to-hire and permanent office help.

Net-Temps
Specializes in placing temporary workers.

Manpower.com
Helps both companies and individuals navigate the ever-changing world of work.

Accountemps
Specialized financial temporary staffing firm for accounting and financial professionals.

AppleOne
Provides temporary, full-time, and temp-to-hire staffing.

OfficeTeam
World's largest specialized temporary staffing service for administrative professionals.

Adecco
Adecco is the world leader in human resource solutions, with a comprehensive service offering that includes temporary & contract staffing, outsourcing, permanent recruitment, outplacement and career services, training and consulting.

LaborReady
Multinational source of dependable labor for companies in a variety of industries.

Salary.com: Calculators
Helps owners determine accurate salary ranges.

Best Sites to Learn More

BuyerZone: Temp Staffing Buyer's Guide
Temp staffing advice from BuyerZone.

American Staffing Association
Promotes legal, ethical, and professional practices of the staffing industry.

AllBusiness: Temporary Help Services
Articles about hiring temp help for your business.

CCHToolkit: HR Tools
Offers select tools for HR professionals.

SBA: Interviewing
Tips for interviewing temporary workers.

IRS: Independent Contractors
Sort out regulations regarding employees versus independent contractors.

Best Blogs and Forums

Rate A Temp Forum
Forum for rating temp agencies nationwide.



FEATURED LISTINGS

What WorksTM for Hiring

Daniel Kehrer

Hiring and Using Interns

Interns can do great things - if you hire and manage 'em right
Small businesses across America have long used college student interns and recent grads as a helpful, low-cost human resource. Student interns are capable, motivated and – if well managed – highly valuable to your business. The trick is the "well-managed" part. Small businesses too often hire interns (a.k.a. "emerging professionals") without any kind of plan for making their presence truly productive. ... Read more

Related Topics

Free B2B search marketing whitepaper, B2B Search Marketing Strategy Guide: Advice From the Pros.
Download

To advertise on Business.com, click here