What to Expect from Interview to Hire
Congratulations–you’ve landed an interview with a temporary staffing agency! So, what’s next?
Typically you can expect a call from a recruiter or account manager at the staffing agency, and they will conduct what’s called a pre-screen interview. This initial telephone screening should only last a few minutes; depending on the agency and the nature of the job, it could extend longer.
Pro Tip: What’s the difference between a recruiter and account manager? Account managers’ responsibilities often include customer service, client order management, personnel management and advertising in addition to recruiting.
Be prepared to answer a few questions about yourself, your work experience, your goals, and why you are qualified for the job you are applying for. You may also be asked about your skill sets and your availability for work.
The purpose of this initial conversation is for the recruiter to learn more about you before conducting a more extensive face-to-face interview and/or passing you along to their client. Simply put, think of this as the “groundwork.”
Preparing for the on-site interview
After the pre-screen interview, you will more than likely be invited to interview “in person” at the staffing agency’s office. You may also be scheduled for an interview via phone or in-person with the client. Sometimes this is a multi-step process, so be patient and always be on your game! The following are some tips to help you prepare for your interview(s):
- How to dress: Dress professionally or business casual at a minimum. Rule of thumb: Dress for the job you want, not the job you have! And, dress appropriately. If you are interviewing for a forklift job, no one will expect you to wear a suit.
- What to bring: Bring a copy of your resume, a notepad, and a pen.
Pro Tip: Know your work availability and bring a list of conflicts (if applicable)
- Ways to impress: Be prepared to talk about your short and long-term goals. Be honest about what you’re looking for, especially if you’re interested in finding a temp-to-perm
Documentation
Now that the interviews are finished, it’s time for the paperwork. The application process is usually the first step, and many times this can be completed online in advance of your interview. However, in some cases, you may be asked to complete a paper application in person.
Next, you will more than likely be asked to fill out a W-4 form for your taxes, an I-9 form for employment verification, a direct deposit form, and any other documents required by the staffing agency and/or the client to ensure you get paid correctly. This may include signing off and confirming receipt of items such as an employee handbook and safety procedures.
Orientation and Onboarding
After completing paperwork you may be scheduled to attend an orientation with the staffing agency, the client, or both. Depending on the company, this may be done electronically, or in person due to the nature of the role.
During orientation, you can expect to receive information about your pay (paychecks, pay cards direct deposit), safety, drug/alcohol policies, check-in and reporting procedures (i.e. what to do if you’re going to be late or absent), and benefit qualifications. Other items covered could include hours, shifts, rules and regulations, and security or badge requirements. The onboarding process is in place to ensure that you have all of the information you need to get started, so be sure to get all of your questions answered!
Getting Paid
When you’re ready to start work, you will more than likely be asked to complete an online or paper timesheet weekly that will need to be authorized by the client. Once they’ve signed off, it will trigger the payroll process–the best part is that most temporary employees get paid weekly; authorized timesheets are due at the end of the week (or early the next week) for the week you worked. Paychecks (or other forms of payment) are made the next Friday.
On the job
This is when it’s time to put your best foot forward. Be prepared that the recruiter or account manager from the staffing agency may give you a call to check-in and see how your first day/week went. The temp agency’s goal is to make sure that both you and the client are comfortable and happy, and that the job is as advertised.
Great people who do a good job can typically stay as busy as they want to. Staffing agencies such as SURESTAFF, consider their product and service to be their people, and there’s no better feeling than receiving great feedback from a client. For the staffing agency, a solid match is a win-win for everyone–including YOU!
About the Author
Kim is a seasoned content marketing professional with over twelve years of corporate communications experience. Her sweetspot is with creative writing both short and long-form, and she has a proven track record working with IBM, Jackson Healthcare, and Walt Disney World, among many others. Kim is also a singer and actress and has been performing on stage and screen her entire life and has a great passion for TV and film production. Connect with Kim on LinkedIn.