When companies have open positions but need help locating the right people, they turn to staff agencies. They assist companies in hiring for a variety of positions, including temporary (an assignment with a set start and end date), temp to hire (a term that is initially temporary but is used to assist an employer in determining the temp worker’s long-term fit with the company), and direct hire (a permanent position in which the staffing agency acts as a recruiter). A staffing agency serves as a liaison between employers and employees, assisting in matching qualified candidates with companies with current job openings.