Certification, service go hand in hand

Companies seeking candidates to fill
open positions can do the hiring
themselves or work with staffing firms to complete the process. If they
choose the latter route, they have options.
One is to work with firms that employ certified staffing professionals, rather than
those that do not. There may not be any
significant differences in the fees charged
or the time consumed in the hiring process
either way. However, there may be some in
the quality of the services provided. That is
because certified specialists offer significant benefits to clients that are a step
above those provided by their noncertified
counterparts.

Smart Business spoke with Dana Lee,
CTS, to gain an understanding about the
certification process that staffing specialists undergo and how the certification designation can benefit hiring companies.

What is the purpose of certification in the
staffing industry?

Viewed as a whole, certification is a
means of self-regulation for the staffing
industry. On the individual level, it allows
staffing professionals to expand their
expertise in employment law, changing
regulations, best business practices and
ethical standards. Both of these purposes
translate to more efficient services from
staffing firms. Remember, certification is
as important in the staffing industry as it is
in any other professional field. For example, people who retain a professional to
calculate their income taxes might be better off hiring a CPA rather than someone
fresh out of an accounting class in college.
That professional certification makes a lot
of difference. The same holds true in the
staffing industry.

How do staffing professionals earn their certifications?

After the initial required classroom training and testing, certification is ongoing.
Staffing professionals are not only responsible for attaining initial certification but
maintaining it as well. Certification can be
earned through various national professional associations, such as the National Association of Personnel Services and the
American Staffing Association. NAPS
awards two designations of certification:
the Certified Temporary Staffing Specialist
(CTS) and the Certified Personnel
Consultant (CPC). The ASA grants a
Certified Staffing Professional Designation
to enhance professionals’ competency and
knowledge of labor and employment law.

Should clients look for certification designations when retaining hiring firms?

Actually, the firm you are working with
will not hold the certification. It is the
staffing professionals in the firm that are
responsible for attaining their certification.
Therefore, clients should be looking at the
certified staff members’ profiles for certification designations when retaining staffing
firms. You can begin by asking your staffing
professional if he/she is certified. My suggestion is to deal exclusively with firms in
which staff certification is a key objective.
At Delta Dallas, we have found that getting
and maintaining the knowledge required for
certification makes a big difference in the
day-to-day operations of the firm as a whole.
In the end, certification becomes an asset to
the staffing professional, the firm, and, ultimately, their clients and candidates.

What are the benefits of working with certified staffing professionals?

Above all, clients know they will be working with people who are dedicated to their
profession. They have to earn their designations through rigorous training programs,
testing and continuing education courses,
so they are not likely to take lightly the
responsibilities that are inherent to certification. Also, certified staffing professionals
stay current on the latest trends, employment laws, human resources practices, etc.,
regarding job markets. Staffing specialists
who have attained certification are generally among the most experienced personnel in
the industry, in large part because of their
dedication. Individuals who spend the time
and effort to earn their certifications are not
likely to leave their professions. So, in the
end, you have a staffing professional who
not only has experience but also has pertinent knowledge regarding the intricacies of
the hiring process.

How can certified staffing specialists help
clients?

Certified specialists can provide service
at a deeper level than noncertified staffing
personnel. Certified specialists can take on
the role of a consultant. They are qualified
to do more than simply fill an order, they
can help their clients understand the relevant issues associated with the positions
they are filling. This could include issues
like EEOC regulations, best hiring practices, employment trends, ADA questions,
FMLA concerns and more. A certified specialist will take all of these regulations into
consideration when negotiating on behalf
of a client. The client provides the requirements of the position and the certified specialist can guide his or her client through
the hiring process in light of regulations
and trends in each of these areas.

DANA LEE, CTS, is a senior associate with Delta Dallas and
TAPC’s Top Producer for 2006. Reach her at (972) 788-2300 or
[email protected].