Manager FAQ

What type of positions does the Temporary Staffing Center fill?

What is the screening process for a temporary candidate through the Temporary Staffing Center?

How do I request a temporary employee?

What do you do when you recruit and identify your own temporary employee outside the Temporary Staffing Center?

How quickly will my request be acknowledged?

How quickly can I have a temporary employee start?

What if the dates on the requisition form change and I need to terminate the assignment sooner than previously specified or extend an employee's assignment?

What if I am dissatisfied with my temporary employee's performance?

What if I need to replace an employee?

What is the administrative fee and is it refundable?

How will the temporary employee be paid?

How do I hire my temporary employee full time and is there a conversion fee?

How will I ensure my needs are met for future projects?

For what type of positions does the Temporary Staffing Center fill?

Our primary focus is administrative and financial support positions. We staff various administrative positions including, but not limited to, Office Assistant, Receptionist, Program Assistant, Department Assistant, and Executive Assistant. The Temporary Staffing Center is also able to staff special requests and needs, for example a Research Technician One, or other more specified request.

What is the screening process for a temporary candidate through the Temporary Staffing Center?

There are several steps that a candidate must complete successfully before being assigned to a position by the Temporary Staffing Center:

• Phone screen.
• An online application. It will be emailed to and completed by the candidate.
• Behavioral Interview. The candidate can expect to spend approximately 30 minutes interviewing with the staffing consultant and then anywhere from 20 to 90 minutes on software testing depending on skill set.
• Software testing. We use a system known as Proveit. Every candidate interviewed is tested on Customer Service Skills and Typing. Candidates for general office positions are tested on Basic Office skills while more experienced and administrative candidates are tested on MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook. Other specific programs are available, for example MS Access, if a staffing consultant is recruiting for a particular project or position.
• Education Verification. All education that is listed on the employment application, with the exception of high school, will be verified.
• Background Check. Criminal background clearance for certain positions may be required.

How do I request a temporary employee?

To request a temporary employee, complete "Requisition Form A" which can be found at www.northwestern.edu/hr/forms. Email the completed form to the staffing consultant for your campus.

What do you do when you recruit and identify your own temporary employee outside the Temporary Staffing Center?

• You must complete "Requisition Form B" and submit it to your staffing consultant via email.
• In addition the personal data forms and other required documentation must be submitted to Northwestern's payroll department.
• The temporary employee will be required to complete an abreviated employment application which is retained by the hiring manager.

How quickly will my request be acknowledged?

You will hear back from the respective staffing consultant in the Temporary Staffing Center on your campus within two hours to discuss the details of your request.

How quickly can I have a temporary employee start?

For a typical administrative role, the Temporary Staffing Center can have someone start within 48 hours. If the role is more specialized and you would like to see resumes or interview candidates, this will affect the start time accordingly.

What if the dates on the requisition form change and I need to terminate the assignment sooner than previously specified or extend an employee's assignment?

If either of the above is the case, just notify your staffing consultant. The staffing consultant will communicate this information directly to the employee.

What if I am dissatisfied with my temporary employee's performance?

Please let your staffing consultant know as soon as any concerns arise in areas of attendance, punctuality, professionalism, or any other area of overall performance. The appropriate staffing consultant will then address the issue immediately, provide feedback and communicate future expectations to the employee.

What if I need to replace a temporary employee?

If, after coaching, a temporary employee's performance has not improved or if the employee is just not the right match for a department, please let your staffing consultant know immediately. The staffing consultant will be responsible for relaying all feedback to the temporary employee as well as informing him/her that the assignment is ending. The Temporary Staffing Center will work diligently to replace the temporary employee as quickly as possible.

What is the administrative fee and is it refundable?

The $2.98 administrative hourly rate is in place to defray the administrative and operational costs of the NU Temporary Staffing Center and is therefore not refundable once a candidate has been assigned.

How will the temporary employee be paid?

The time approval process for these employees will be the same as it is for other NU temporary employees. All temporary employees are paid on a bi-weekly basis and housed on NU's payroll. The payroll process will be covered during the initial interview with their Staffing Consultant.

How do I hire my temporary employee full time and is there a conversion fee?

Based on the position into which you would like to hire your temporary employee, please see the user guide which can be found at http://www.northwestern.edu/hr/forms to determine how many total hours are necessary for the temporary employee to work before being hired full time. Your staffing consultant would also be able to tell you the total hours worked. When you are ready to hire your temporary employee on a full time basis, inform your staffing consultant who will coordinate this process. No conversion fee applies to full time hires.

How will I ensure my needs are met for future projects?

Let your staffing consultant know as far ahead as possible when you have a need. More lead time will allow a larger pool from which your staffing consultant can source candidates from for your specific needs. If you need to staff a project or if you have a peak hiring season approaching, please contact your staffing consultant immediately.

If a situation arises that cannot be resolved by the temporary staffing consultant on your campus, please contact Daphne Smith, Staffing Manager, at 312.503.0013.