⏰ Est. reading time: 4 mins

💡 What you’ll learn:

• How staffing firms are using AI and automation to boost efficiency
• The benefits of AI and automation on time-to-hire and onboarding workflows
• How payments automation can streamline the onboarding process for everyone involved

In a world where speed and precision count, artificial intelligence (AI), automation, and other tech tools have become game-changers for the staffing industry. 

In fact, recent data suggests 92% of staffing firms currently use one form of AI tool—sourcing automation—to accelerate time-to-hire. 

Whether you use AI and automation to help source candidates or speed up onboarding, leveraging the right tech can help staffing firms boost efficiency, keeping clients happy and business thriving in the process.

Here are five key ways AI, automation, and other emerging technologies are boosting efficiency in staffing, and how these improvements impact the candidate and recruiter experience.

1. Speedier Sourcing & Matching

AI Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) are reshaping the candidate sourcing and screening process. An AI-enhanced ATS can automatically scan and parse through resumes, filtering candidates based on keywords, skills, job titles, and qualifications. 

It can use data from past hires, performance, and job requirements to predict candidate fit more accurately. Some platforms even suggest alternative candidates who may not be obvious matches on paper but have high potential.

The result? Recruiters spend less time manually reviewing resumes and can place candidates more quickly for their clients. In fact, AI can reduce time-to-hire by up to 50%, which can benefit both the recruiter and the selected candidate.

2. Real-Time Labor Market Insights

AI tools are also revolutionizing how staffing firms understand and respond to the labor market. By analyzing real-time data from job boards, social platforms, economic indicators, and more, AI can provide staffing firms with deep, actionable insights that allow them to place candidates more efficiently.

One of the most valuable insights is real-time visibility into talent supply and demand. AI can identify where certain skill sets are in high demand, where there are shortages, and how candidate availability may differ across regions or industries. This helps staffing firms set realistic expectations with clients early on in the hiring process, helping them understand whether or not they’ll need to adjust their timeline, job requirements, or compensation to attract the right talent in a timely manner.

AI can also bring clarity to salary benchmarks and compensation trends. Instead of relying on outdated or anecdotal salary data, firms can use AI-powered tools to analyze thousands of job listings and compensation reports in real time. This allows for  more accurate, competitive salary recommendations that reflect current market conditions—essential for attracting top talent and preventing clients from under- or over-offering.

Ultimately, these type of AI-powered, real-time insights help staffing firms go from transactional vendors into efficient, strategic advisors. Instead of simply filling roles, for their clients, they can guide them how to refine their hiring strategies, improve candidate attraction, and quickly respond to market shifts.

3. Automated Onboarding

It’s no secret that a positive onboarding experience can impact the candidate experience; in fact, studies show that a well-executed onboarding program can increase new hire retention by 82%. Luckily, onboard automation platforms can streamline and digitize the process,making it more efficient for everyone involved. 

One key way they can do this is by streamlining document collection, management, and verification. Instead of relying on manual processes, these platforms can  quickly scan and verify employment forms, IDs, certifications, and tax documents—many of them using a process called OCR (optical character recognition)—to make this happen. Not only can this speed up onboarding time, but it can ensure all necessary paperwork is compliant with local, state, and federal requirements.

Similarly, new integration options can streamline background checks by leveraging third-party databases and public records to quickly gather and analyze relevant information. Instead of waiting days for manual reviews, staffing firms can receive near-instant background screening results. 

Technology can also play a role in customizing a new hire’s onboarding journey. Based on the candidate’s role, location, and previous experience, onboarding personalization tools  can recommend tailored training modules and onboarding checklists to ensure employees hit the ground running. Whether it’s safety protocols, job-specific skills, or company policies, candidates receive only what’s relevant to them—reducing overwhelm and improving retention.

4. Fast, Easy Payments

With any job, a key part of the onboarding process is payroll onboarding. Gone are the days where an employee starts a new job and should need to wait two weeks or more to receive their first paycheck. With modern payments technology, staffing firms can pay workers day one on the job, while also offering a mobile-first way to make onboarding even easier and self-service for today’s candidates. 

Payments platforms like Branch allow you to pay workers on day one without the administrative hassles of outdated payment methods like paper checks. Recruiters can hand out Branch Cards on-site to new hires, allowing workers that don’t have an existing bank account or direct deposit option a Day 1 solution to get paid. They can self-onboard through the Branch App in 90 seconds or less, streamlining the onboarding and payments processes. 

Not only does this boost efficiency, but it creates a more rewarding payments experience for new hires, ultimately keeping employees and your clients happier. 

Modernizing the Staffing Space To Benefit Everyone 

The staffing industry is in the midst of a technology-driven transformation. While the human touch remains essential—especially in relationship-building and culture fit—AI and other modern tools can help recruiters focus on those relational components while administrative processes become more streamlined. 

In a fast-moving labor market, staffing firms that leverage innovative tech like AI, automation, and cutting-edge payments technology will have a competitive edge when it comes to efficiency. Not only does greater efficiency drive better placement rates and improved client relationships, but recruiters and candidates alike benefit from streamlined processes and smoother workflows. 

Branch can help you automate and streamline workforce payments, giving you a competitive edge against other staffing firms and gig platforms. 

Learn more here.