Nevertheless, the success of such a collaboration is not a given. Much depends on how you, as the client, work with the agency.
In this blog we share 5 essential tips to get the most out of your collaboration with a secondment agency. Practical, concrete and results-oriented.
Why work with a staffing agency?
For organizations that want to continue to grow and innovate, attracting the right talent is crucial. But:
- Finding experienced IT professionals is time-consuming
- The competition in the labor market is fierce
- Temporary surges and specialized projects require flexibility
A good staffing agency helps you quickly find qualified candidates, takes administrative and legal burdens off your hands and thinks along at a strategic level.
But how do you ensure that you make the most of the collaboration?
1. Formulate a clear and realistic assignment description
A successful collaboration starts with clarity. Make sure you have things clear beforehand:
- What the assignment entails
- Which responsibilities and deliverables are associated with it
- Which competencies are truly essential
- What the duration and desired start date is
The more specific your briefing, the better the match. And the faster an agency like Circle8 can get to work for you.
2. Be transparent about your organizational culture and context
Secondment is not only about skills, but also about fit. A candidate can be technically strong, but if he or she does not fit the way of working within your team or organization, the collaboration will still come to a halt.
Therefore always share:
- How your (IT-)teams are structured
- Which tools, processes and communication styles are used
- What the unwritten rules and expectations are
A good staffing agency uses this input to select the right profiles and streamline the onboarding.
3. Involve the agency as a strategic partner, not as a supplier
Staffing agencies that truly add value don't just advise on the vacancy, but also on your personnel strategy.
Use their expertise to spar about:
- Market developments and rate estimates
- Which roles you are better off hiring than taking on as employees
- What the profile of the future professional is
Circle8 proactively thinks along with you and looks at which assignment suits you best based on your profile.
4. Ensure a smooth onboarding of the seconded professional
It is often forgotten that an external professional also needs a good start. Therefore make sure to provide:
- A clear introduction to the team
- Access to systems and required tools on dag 1
- A point of contact or buddy in the team
- Clear explanation of the expectations and deliverables
A good onboarding increases productivity, engagement and the chance of successful completion of the assignment.
5. Evaluate regularly and adjust where necessary
The collaboration does not stop at placement. Keep in contact with the agency and the professional to monitor progress. Discuss:
- What is going well
- What could be better
- Whether the assignment still aligns with the goals
A good collaboration begins with good preparation
A secondment agency is not a CV supplier, but an extension of your organization. By investing in clear communication, strategic consultation and mutual trust, you get much more out of the collaboration than just a temporary worker.
Circle8 is specialized in connecting IT talent with organizations that want to move forward. We think along with you, select carefully and remain involved. Therefore join Circle8 as a professional and together we ensure that you will be placed with the right client. Contact us via: https://www.circle8.nl/zelfstandig-professionals or view all open assignments here: https://www.circle8.nl/opdrachten.
