3 Ways to Hire Last Minute Temp Workers

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By Lorna Faires

Topics: hiring a temp worker

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3_Ways_to_Hire_Last_Minute_Temp_Workers.jpgStuff happens. Staff shortages at the last minute occur more often than you’d like. People call in sick. Employees quit suddenly without notice. Demand suddenly increases and you need more hands on deck—fast.

When it comes to busy seasons, like Christmastime for the retail industry or summer time for the agricultural industry, it’s easier to plan to hire temps ahead of time. The same goes for scheduling temps when your employees go on anticipated absences, like vacation or maternity leave.

But unexpected emergencies are bound to occur every once in a while. After all, you can’t plan for everything. But you also can’t stay short staffed or you risk suffering the consequences, such as reducing productivity, reducing your customer service levels, losing business, and having an increased risk of errors or accidents due to overworked staff.

When you need to hire last-minute temp workers to fill in, here are a few ways to get the help you need, when you need it.

1. Engage a Temporary Staffing Firm

When it comes to hiring last-minute temp workers, going through the motions of your own hiring process just isn’t an option. You simply don’t have the time to post job ads, wait for applications to trickle in, review resumes, and conduct interviews. And you can’t risk skipping steps or you could end up with bad hires who damage your business.

That’s why contacting a temporary staffing firm is your best bet—even better, contact a niche staffing agency that specializes in your business. Staffing firms are constantly recruiting new candidates. And because of this, they already have huge candidate pools of pre-interviewed and pre-approved temp workers who are ready and able to work for you immediately. You can cut through the majority of the hiring process by going through a temporary staffing firm, while still ensuring that you’re getting good-quality hires.

2. Be Flexible

Even though your new partner niche staffing firm might have qualified temp workers ready to work, you need to understand that, on short notice, you might not get your “perfect” candidate. Last-minute orders are difficult to fill. And even though many candidates might fit the bill, some might already be committed to other companies at the moment. Your temporary staffing firm will absolutely do its best to get you the ideal candidate that you’re hoping for, with all the skills and experience, and certifications and education that you need, but it might come up short just a little bit.

So when you’re hiring last-minute temp workers, be flexible and keep an open mind. Discuss your needs with your customer service representative, but you should be prepared to reduce your candidate standards just a tad. With so little notice, compromising might be necessary on your part. But hey, a near-perfect candidate is better than no one, right?

3. Lean on Your Networks

Try as it might, your staffing agency just might not be able to fulfill your needs and find you adequate workers with the skills and training that you need on short notice, particularly if you need specialized workers. If this is the case, consider leaning on your own networks—and those of your current employees. You and your employees have probably made some connections in the industry and might know of someone who fits the bill and can fill in on short notice. Send an SOS on your social media profiles and ask around the office.

This should be a last option after contacting a temporary staffing firm, though. Keep in mind that the staffing firm’s candidates will already be vetted ahead of time, saving you time and ensuring that you’re not making any bad hiring decisions. Even if you’re short on time, try your best to determine if the person you’ve found through your networks is right for the job—ask for certifications, ask for a breakdown of skills and previous experience, and if you have time, call up references. You might regret it if you don’t take the time to do your due diligence, even when pressed for time.

Don’t panic. Contact Liberty Staffing to hire temp workers.

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Lorna Faires

I have over 15 years of experience in the staffing industry, in a management role. I possess a strong background in recruitment, screening, and connecting candidates with the right employment opportunities. I love all animals, but especially my 3 dogs. Hiking and canoeing are my passions, and getting out into nature and being unplugged is my favourite way to spend my vacations.

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