What does a…Temporary Staffing Manager do?

Introducing our Beyond the Job Description series.

A sneak peak into the roles and responsibilities of the candidates that we source and the jobs they serve.

Wonder what a Project Manager really does? Interested in the day to day duties of an Analyst? Curious about the work of a Controller? Join us as we break down the nitty gritty behind these jobs.

This week, we’re profiling Katie Morrissey, Insight Recruiting’s own Temporary Staffing Manager. Katie has been with the Insight team since 2016, having worked her way up from her own short term contract to our beloved Temp Staff Manager.

Insight Recruiting: Hi Katie! Thanks for making time for us today.

Katie Morrissey: Hey Insight Team! Happy to shine light on my slice of life at our firm.

IR: Let’s dive right in. What are your primary responsibilities as a Temporary Staffing Manager?

KM: I work with clients to help them fill their temporary staffing needs - from short-term coverage for sick teammates to long-term projects for specialized positions (like HR Manager) . I also help clients with special projects, like a marketing launch or data migration to update a new system/process.

IR: And since we’re in the business of uncovering the real nitty gritty of your role, what responsibilities might not be listed on the job description?

KM: I’d like to think that my super-power is anticipating client needs. The key to temporary staffing is to really know the breadth of the client’s business and be ready to jump in with a whole host of candidates at any time, so we can move quickly to solve business problems. I spend a lot of time on the phone asking tough questions of our candidates and (now) Zoom calls with clients plotting the right solutions. From finding 20 brand ambassadors for a small conference to hiring an operations specialist for a special project, there are always incredible problems to solve and lots of stories to learn.

IR: Walk us through a request for temporary staff. How does the process work from beginning to end?

KM: Our first touchpoint comes with an inbound request - either from one of our existing clients or a new business. If it’s a new business, we will hop on the phone to understand more about what they do and how we can help.

Sometimes the client knows exactly what they need, and other times they may need help strategizing the background or experience that would be the best fit. I always begin by asking a few questions to determine the priorities of the search - is this a role with special skills? Is there a looming deadline to fill? Are there other attributes that we need to consider? Etc., etc..

Once the client and I have determined what is most important, I start my search. A search could include checking in with our existing candidate base and reaching out to more as needed. Our team will pull together a pool of candidates and present our favorite resumes to our client. We will then collaborate on an interview process, running background checks and references as needed, and finally, manage the client onboarding for the project once the contract has been signed. Success!

IR: What are some of the skills and talents that you use most in your role?

KM: Looking around corners and having Plans B, C and D at the ready . Practicing equal parts patience and urgency to fill every job. Using friendly but firm communication to draw out candidate strengths. And stretching above and beyond for every client to build trust.

IR: What keeps you motivated?

KM: It may seem cliche, but I am genuinely motivated by positively impacting the career trajectory of our candidates. When both parties take a chance on one another, amazing things can happen. I recently placed a candidate in a part-time data entry position and the client ended up creating a brand new role for him, based upon his performance there. When we can match the right people to the right business problems, that’s what it is all about.

IR: How did your background land you in your current role? 

KM: My education is actually in fine arts - I earned my BFA in Metalsmithing and Jewelry. After graduating from college, I worked for a gallery and a non-profit art organization. My role at the non-profit involved hiring and managing teaching artists, so I was learning a bit about recruiting in that position. When I moved to San Francisco, it seemed like a natural fit to make the jump to staffing.

Making art/jewelry is still important to me, and often what I spend my free time doing.

IR: Do you have any advice that you would give someone looking to break into the staffing field, namely in managing temporary staff?

KM: I think working in temp is a great place to start as a recruiter. It is much faster paced than direct hire searches, allowing you to gain quite a bit of experience in likely a shorter time period.

I would tell Temp Staffing Managers to start by building a base of resilience. Our field has many facets and unique challenges, which can be a roller coaster but a very valuable learning experience - teaching you to always have alternative solutions and back up plans. It’s almost like doing one job in three different ways to ensure your bases are covered.

Thank you so much for your time, Katie! To learn more about the work that Katie does on behalf of clients, please email her at kmorrissey@insightrecruiting.com or check out our temporary staffing services on our site.