Use your staffing firm as a value-added consultant for a competitive advantage that can enhance your company's performance. Human Resources in many companies today is no less an agent for change than technological innovation," says Jon Harvill of Professional Search of Atlanta. "Look for staffing solutions, not just staffing services." Harvill suggests four ways to maximize your staffing firm's role in your HR strategy.

1. Invite Your Consultant In
     Ask your staffing specialist to join you at your site so they can increase their familiarity with your corporate culture. Set a discussion agenda of your three greatest short-term and three greatest long-term concerns. You will gain the most by sharing as much as you can - for example, about your company's strategy for growth and the challenges it faces. If change is in the offing, share this information; use your staffing consultant as part of your planning team.
2. Tap Their HR Savvy
     Staffing specialists offer a wide perspective on alternative ways to meet your staffing goals. Consultants can tell you about trends in hiring, share what's happening at other companies and describe noteworthy industry benchmarks. He or she can help you bridge generation or technology gaps by providing you with the tools to help make you a more effective hiring official. They can help you review the team you already have in place and make more sound decisions on what skills or positions to add to the mix and how to create more productive work teams.
3. Build Job Specs Together
     Staffing consultants can contribute critical information on factors like salary, benefits, as well as intangibles that play a key role in attracting candidates. "We do our best matchmaking when we talk the position through with the client," Harvill says. "Together we can create a vision of the job, figure out the kind of individual who can do it best, and develop the best package for attracting and engaging that person."
4. Sharpen Your Image
     Because many job candidates have multiple offers, employers need to think competitively -- how you and your organization come across can make the difference in getting a "yes" from your candidate. Candidates shy away from companies that give an impression of being disorganized, indecisive or inflexible. Your consultant can help you have confidence in the right commitments so you can act quickly.

"Our best work is as strategic partners," says Harvill.