BusinessHABStaffing agency: Staffing agencies—also known as employment agencies or staffing companies—hire everyone from entry-level workers to CEOs. Job seekers can take advantage of staffing agencies to find a wide variety of jobs, including permanent ones and remote roles, in a number of industries.
Some job seekers are hesitant to use a staffing agency because they think these agencies only provide entry-level, temporary jobs. Others think that agencies never provide benefits to workers or you have to pay to get hired. However, that’s not the case. A staffing agency can help you find a part-time job, a temporary gig, or full-time employment, and the employer generally pays the fees.
Learn what a staffing agency is and how to use one to find the right job for you.
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Types of Available Jobs
Some people think staffing agencies only fill temporary secretarial and administrative jobs, but this is not the case. You can find a job in almost every industry through a staffing agency.
Some staffing agencies (including Kelly Services and Adecco) work with all kinds of companies, while others specialize in particular industries. Medical Solutions, for example, focuses on healthcare jobs. TEKsystems staffs companies with IT hires.
Agencies also offer jobs that last for varying lengths of time. These include:
Temporary Jobs: Companies often look for temporary hires to help during an employee’s absence or period of leave, or during a busy work period. Sometimes they hire temporary workers to complete a particular project. These temporary jobs range in length from a couple of weeks to many months.
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Staffing agency
Temp-to-Hire Jobs: Also known as temp-to-perm jobs, these positions begin as temporary jobs so that the company can get to know the employee on a trial basis. Then, if the company is happy with the employee’s work, they will likely hire him or her directly. While the staffing agency will typically pay for the worker during the temporary phase, the company will then take over paying the employee when he or she becomes a full-time hire.
Permanent Jobs: Some staffing agencies hire candidates for permanent positions at companies. In these situations, the agency works more like a traditional recruiter, finding, interviewing, and selecting candidates for the company. In this case, the company pays the agency a fee. If the company hires an employee, they pay for the employee.
Staffing agency
Note
Many agencies offer a variety of all three of these kinds of jobs, although some specialize. For example, Frontline Source Group focuses on hiring temporary workers.
Remote Roles: Staffing agencies can also connect you with remote opportunities—these may be temp, temp-to-perm, or full-time. Robert Half, for instance, notes that the agency has placed people in a variety of remote roles, including accounts payable, graphic design, and attorney.3 Similarly, when you browse the job board at Adecco, you can choose to look at only remote roles.
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How to Find the Right Staffing Agency for You
When you are looking for a staffing agency to work with, make sure you know the kinds of industries the agency deals with, and whether they offer temporary, temp-to-hire, or permanent jobs—or all three.
Check out the American Staffing Association’s online directory to find reputable staffing firms. You can search for firms in your area. You can also search by employment options (temporary, long-term, etc.) and industry.
When you interview with a staffing agency, feel free to ask questions. Ask about what benefits (if any) they offer, what kinds of jobs they typically fill, the industries they work with, and the average time it takes for a job seeker to land a job. The recruiter you work with is there to help you, so don’t be afraid to gather all the information you need.
Check into whether or not the agency has any services, such as workshops to help you develop skills or counsellors who will help you with your resume and cover letter. If these are available, take advantage of them.
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Note
Keep in mind that you should never have to pay a staffing agency to help you find a job. Reputable staffing agencies are paid by companies, not by job seekers.
Tips for Working with a Staffing Agency
Treat It Like a Real Interview
The staffing agency will likely set up an interview with you to get a better sense of your skills and experience.
Note
Treat this interview exactly as you would an interview with a company.
Dress appropriately and show up on time—early, if possible. Listen attentively and use positive body language to convey your attention and interest. Introduce yourself with a firm handshake. Bring your resume and be ready to answer common interview questions. You might also be asked to complete a skills assessment to test your hard skills, so be prepared for this as well.
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Staffing agency
Be Honest
Be honest about your goals, whether it’s to land a permanent position, maintain flexibility, or to develop some skills that will make you an attractive candidate for your next full-time job.
Also, be honest about your availability. If you are only available on weekdays, for example, tell this to the recruiter at the staffing agency.
Finally, be candid about your employment history. If you have an employment gap, for example, tell the recruiter. They can help you figure out how to explain this to an employer.
Keep an Open Mind
Even if you want a full-time position, consider being open to temporary jobs or contract work. These can help you develop skills that might be useful when you apply for your next full-time job. If you impress an employer, he or she might try to find you a full-time position at the company.
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Staffing agency
Follow Up
Send an emailed or handwritten note to thank the interviewers at the staffing agency for their time and to reinforce your interest in finding a position.
Be Persistent and Patient
If you applied for a job through a staffing agency and haven’t heard back, follow up within a week. Perhaps you were not right for that specific job, but a recruiter might be able to find something else that fits your skill set. Check in with any staffing firm you’ve contacted once a week to remind them of your interest and demonstrate your eagerness.
Use Other Resources
You do not have to put all your eggs in one basket. While you wait to hear back from the agency, continue to job search on your own.
Check out job boards and job search engines and network with people in your industry. However, be open with your recruiter—tell them if you apply to any jobs on your own and if you are working with a second staffing agency. This way, your recruiter will not submit you for a job that you already applied for (in some cases, an employer will remove your application if he or she sees it twice).
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Staffing agency
When You Get a Job, Prepare
When you receive an assignment, the agency will provide you with information as to whom to report, dress code, hours, wages, and a description of the duties and duration of the job. You might also need to do a second interview with the company. If you don’t receive all of this information, ask the agency for all of this information.
You Can Say No
If you truly feel a position is not a good fit—perhaps the hours do not work for you, or the pay is well below what you need—be honest with the recruiter. Explain why you don’t want the position. It will help the recruiter find you a job that is a better fit in the future.
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Conclusion:
Staffing and employment agencies are generally paid by the company that hires
them to recruit candidates for jobs, so you shouldn’t have to pay a fee to work
with the agency or to get hired. Before you sign on with an agency, have a clear understanding of how the hiring process works.
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