Behind the Hire: Psychology-Based Staffing Tips for Leaders

What Are the Signs It’s Time to Bring in Temporary Help?

By Valery Nigro, MIOP – Organizational Psychology Consultant & Business Development Officer at A-1 Staffing

1. Your Team Feels Overworked & Burned Out

One of the clearest signs it’s time to bring in temporary help? Your full-time employees are visibly stressed, working overtime, or starting to fall behind. Maybe productivity has dipped. Maybe you’ve noticed an uptick in sick days or overheard grumbles about heavy workloads.

Burnout isn’t just a morale issue—it leads to mistakes, lower-quality work, and higher turnover. If your team is struggling to keep up, bringing in temporary staff can ease the pressure and allow everyone to focus on what they do best.

2. A Sudden Increase in Workload

When business picks up unexpectedly, it’s often not practical to hire full-time employees, especially if the surge is temporary.

In these cases, temporary workers are an excellent solution. They can step in quickly, keep things running smoothly, and help maintain high service levels—all without committing to long-term costs or overhead.

Need help finding quality temporary workers? A-1 Staffing has you covered!

3. You Need Specialized Skills

When a project requires skills that your current team doesn’t have, training can be time-consuming and resource-draining.

In these situations, temporary workers with the specific expertise you need can be a game-changer. Whether it's a software implementation, marketing campaign, or financial reporting, temp professionals bring the necessary skills and fresh perspectives, without the lengthy hiring process.

4. You’re Expanding, But Not Ready to Commit

Whether you're testing a new market or in growth mode but not yet ready to hire permanent staff, temporary staffing offers the flexibility to scale without the long-term commitment.

It’s a low-risk approach that allows you to build capacity and explore new opportunities without overextending. If you're looking to grow but aren't ready to commit to permanent hires, temporary staffing might be the right solution.

5. Administrative Tasks Are Piling Up

Not every task that requires attention is high-level. Sometimes, administrative duties like data entry, scheduling, customer service, or filing can pile up.

When your core team spends too much time on these tasks, it’s a sign it’s time to bring in support staff. By freeing up their time, you allow them to focus on more strategic work and perform better for your organization.

Temporary admin professionals can take care of the everyday tasks, ensuring your full-time employees stay focused on what really matters.

6. You Need Flexibility in Your Hiring Decisions

There are many reasons you might hesitate to commit to a permanent hire. Maybe you’re unsure whether the role needs to be full-time. Perhaps you want to assess how a candidate fits into your company culture before making a permanent decision. Or maybe it’s a new role that needs some fine-tuning before you define it fully.

That’s where temporary staffing shines. Many staffing firms offer temp-to-hire options, allowing you to evaluate a worker on the job before extending a full-time offer. It’s a smart way to reduce hiring risks and ensure you’re making the right decision.

A-1 Staffing Tip: Make sure your staffing agency understands the unique needs of your team.

7. The Power of Temporary Staffing

The modern workplace thrives on flexibility. Whether you’re running a lean startup, managing a growing department, or leading a large organization, being able to adjust to shifting workloads is crucial to staying competitive. Temporary staffing gives you the flexibility you need to remain agile.

At A-1 Staffing, we specialize in helping businesses like yours find the right talent quickly. Whether it’s an extra set of hands or a seasoned professional, we have a deep pool of qualified candidates ready to meet your unique needs.

Need help figuring out what kind of support you need? We're happy to chat. Contact A-1 Staffing today.

Hiring is more than just filling a seat. It’s about finding the right person for the right role at the right time—and building a workplace where people stay and thrive. As an Organizational Psychology Consultant, I’ve seen firsthand how companies that align their hiring practices with human behavior outperform those that don’t.

If you're a leader responsible for building teams, here are key psychology-driven staffing tips to help you hire smarter, lead better, and keep your people engaged.

1. Hire for Behavior, Train for Skill

While experience is important, it’s often soft skills—like reliability, adaptability, and emotional intelligence—that make or break an employee’s success.

Tip: Use behavioral interview questions and personality assessments to gauge how a candidate will fit into your team’s culture and dynamics.

2. Use Job Clarity as a Retention Tool

Many employees leave because the job isn’t what they expected. Clear, honest job descriptions and transparent conversations during interviews set the tone for trust.

Tip: Include “a day in the life” descriptions during interviews and check in during onboarding to realign expectations if needed.

3. Ask Motivational Questions, Not Just Qualification Questions

To really understand what drives a candidate, go beyond their résumé.

Try asking:

“What type of work makes you feel energized?”

“When was the last time you felt really proud at work?”

The answers reveal whether your position will meet their internal motivators.

4. Watch for Burnout in Your Current Team—It’s a Sign You’re Understaffed

Employees showing signs of fatigue, emotional detachment, or reduced performance may not be disengaged—they may just be overwhelmed.

Tip: Use regular team check-ins to assess workload levels and be proactive about bringing in temporary support or redistributing responsibilities.

5. Don’t Just Interview—Build Connection

Candidates decide whether they want to work for you just as much as you evaluate them. Creating a warm, respectful, and curious interview experience reflects well on your leadership—and your company’s culture.

Tip: Express genuine interest in their career goals. The connection you build early on can influence long-term retention.

Bonus: Partner With a Staffing Agency That Understands People

At A-1 Staffing, we take a psychology-informed approach to every placement. We look beyond job titles and resumes and focus on personality fit, motivation, and long-term compatibility.

Let’s Connect!

If you’re a leader looking to strengthen your hiring strategy, develop your workforce, or reduce turnover, let’s talk. Whether you need temporary staffing or leadership consulting, we’re here to help you build stronger, more resilient teams.

📧 valery.nigro@a-1staff.org | 📱 402-885-3879🌐 www.a-1staffing.org