Guide
How to choose a staffing agency
Updated:
In short
What separates a good staffing agency isn't the hourly rate, it's what happens when something goes wrong. Ask how they select people, who your on-site contact is, what the replacement procedure is, and what's inside the rate. Without clear answers to those, the hourly rate tells you very little.
The seven questions
Ask these when requesting a quote. The answers separate agencies quickly.
- How do you select people? Is there an interview and a trial shift?
- Who is my contact on site, and is there a team lead?
- What happens if someone doesn't show up?
- What's included in the hourly rate, and what carries a surcharge?
- Have you worked events of this size and type before?
- Which languages can you staff?
- How quickly will I get a concrete quote?
What to check in the quote
An honest quote is itemised: the hourly rate, surcharges, travel and minimum hours are all visible separately. If you receive a single total with no explanation, ask for the breakdown, because that's where surprises tend to appear later.
Red flags
A few signals suggest you should keep looking: no written quote, no named on-site contact, no guarantee of any kind for drop-outs, or a price conspicuously below market. The last one usually means the selection step is what's been cut.
Frequently asked questions
Does the size of the agency's database matter?
It matters insofar as a bigger pool makes it easier to cast the right person and leaves reserves for drop-outs. The number alone guarantees nothing; how they select matters more.
Can I ask for references?
Yes, and you should. Ask for an event of similar size and type, not just a list of recognisable brand names.
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