August 2nd, 2024 | Sterling

Client Success in the Staffing Industry: How Sterling Builds Trust and Protects our Clients

In the fast-paced world of staffing, where speed and accuracy are paramount, background screening plays a pivotal role in securing top talent while mitigating risk. As staffing agencies adapt to ever-changing market dynamics, understanding industry-specific trends is essential for maintaining a competitive edge.

In a recent Sterling Live episode, we sat down with Evangeline Lopez, Sterling’s Practice Leader for the Staffing Industry, to explore key trends shaping the industry’s approach to background screening and hiring. With the growth of mergers and acquisitions, vendor consolidation, and technological advancements, it’s imperative companies understand how  to best position themselves for simplified yet effective background screening.

Question: Can you elaborate on how our approach to client treatment varies across different industries?

Answer: At Sterling, we operate within distinct practice areas tailored to specific industries. Depending on where your organization fits, we assign a dedicated support team aligned with the unique needs of your sector. Each industry presents its own set of priorities. For instance, in staffing, swift turnaround times and rapid hiring processes take precedence.

However, regardless of the sector, compliance remains a consistent focal point. Ensuring adherence to industry-specific regulations is paramount, and we stand by our clients every step of the way, providing unwavering support and guidance. In the staffing realm, in particular, we place an increased emphasis on compliance, given its critical importance to the clients we serve and by extension their own clients.

Question: Could you elaborate on the diversity of staffing clients you support and outline our support structure within this sector? Additionally, are there any specific differentiators you’ve observed within the staffing industry?

Answer: Our client base spans across a spectrum of organizations, encompassing both large global enterprises and smaller boutique firms with varying annual hiring volumes. In staffing, there’s no one-size fits-all approach; we cater to clients ranging from those recruiting high volumes of temporary workers to those placing for executive-level positions. Moreover, the industries our staffing clients operate in add another layer of diversity.  

We often engage in benchmarking exercises, comparing client programs to those in the sectors they specialize in, leveraging our own internal teams’ expertise, from manufacturing to healthcare to financial services and more. Turnaround time is a critical consideration, given the dynamic nature of staffing, especially in the competitive and tumultuous markets over the past several years. We understand that many clients have multiple partnerships for background screening, which further underscores the importance of delivering thorough and timely services.   

Our goal is to ensure that when background screening is on the agenda, Sterling is the first name that comes to mind, providing reliable support and thorough checks tailored to our clients’ specific requirements.  

Question: You mentioned earlier that Sterling aims to understand the broader context beyond just background screening. As we delve into staffing industry trends, what aspects of the background screening process are our staffing clients typically focused on?

Answer: Background screening can be complex, especially given the evolving landscape and regulatory nuances. Our focus lies in empowering clients with a comprehensive understanding of the available screening services and tools that we offer and helping them navigate through the intricacies of background screening and data security regulation and legislation.  

One prominent theme we’re observing is heightened merger and acquisition activity within the staffing sector. As larger organizations absorb smaller ones, aligning background screening standards becomes paramount. Moreover, technology adaptation is a recurring topic, particularly concerning AI’s role in the hiring process and identity validation.   

Risk reduction remains a top priority, prompting organizations to explore strategies to mitigate potential threats and vulnerabilities. Another noteworthy trend is vendor consolidation, reflecting a shift towards fewer but more capable partners to streamline the end-to-end hiring and the candidate journey. At Sterling, we’ve acted on these trends, evolving alongside our clients to meet their changing needs and aspirations.    

Question: Earlier, you touched on the significance of benchmarking within the staffing industry. Could you elaborate on our reporting and analytics capabilities and how they support staffing agencies?

Answer: Our reporting and analytics tool is a valuable resource designed to provide clients real-time insights into the performance of their background screening program. With configurable reports at their disposal, they can effortlessly track the progress of different background checks, understand cost structures, and gauge the overall effectiveness of their screening efforts. This tool empowers staffing agencies to make informed decisions and optimize their screening process based on real-time data. 

Moreover, our client success team is committed to supporting clients through regular check-ins to ensure that their program is aligned with their organization’s goals and objectives. These strategic conversations go beyond performance metrics, allowing us to delve into clients’ long-term vision and tailor our support accordingly.   

Additionally, our Sterling Leadership Client Councils offer a space for industry leaders to come together, share insights, and discuss emerging trends and challenges specific to the staffing sector. Through these collaborative initiatives, we aim to keep you at the forefront of industry developments and facilitate meaningful dialogue among industry peers.  

Question: What are staffing organizations prioritizing in the hiring process?

Answer: From a prioritization standpoint, it’s crucial for staffing organizations to be well-equipped with the right information to educate their clients effectively. While clients dictate the specifics of their background screening program, it’s our responsibility to empower our clients with insights so they can confidently advise their own clients. By serving as a source of knowledge and providing valuable recommendations, staffing agencies can position themselves as strategic partners, fostering trust and collaboration with their clients. This collaborative approach not only enhances client relationships but also strengthens the overall effectiveness of the background screening process.

Question: How have you seen Staffing programs shift over the years? Where do you see them going in the future?

Answer: The landscape of background screening has evolved significantly, with changes like clean slate laws presenting new compliance challenges for our clients. Moving forward, clients increasingly expect us to support them in maintaining compliance.

Technological advancements will play a pivotal role in addressing these challenges, as exemplified by the Department of Homeland Security’s efforts to modernize the I-9 process. The Covid-19 pandemic highlighted the need for remote Form I-9 document validation , prompting us to develop solutions like Virtual I-9 Document Review in partnership with ID.me.

This innovation not only enhances compliance but also improves the candidate’s experience. As we continue to prioritize the client needs, it’s essential to remember the significance of the candidate journey in shaping overall satisfaction.

Closing Thoughts – Next Steps for Staffing Agencies

From our discussion with Evangeline, it’s evident that staying ahead of the curve is essential for a smooth hiring process. With the staffing landscape continually evolving, staffing agencies must leverage innovative solutions and strategic insights to streamline processes, reduce risk, and enhance the candidate experience.

Sterling remains committed to supporting staffing agencies with customizable solutions, cutting edge technology, and unparalleled client support. If you would like to speak to someone about our staffing hiring suite, click here.

This publication is for informational purposes only and nothing contained in it should be construed as legal advice. We expressly disclaim any warranty or responsibility for damages arising out this information. We encourage you to consult with legal counsel regarding your specific needs. We do not undertake any duty to update previously posted materials.