Like most members of the general public, you’ve probably heard a thing or two about staffing agencies.
There are many reasons why job-seekers shy away from using a staffing agency to aid in their job search. Some feel that working with an agency will limit them to entry-level or temporary employment while others believe that agencies limit their access to things like medical benefits or that they ‘claw-back’ money from workers. Luckily for you, these things couldn’t be further from the truth.
As a job-seeker you can rely on a staffing agencies to help you find a variety of employment options, including full-time or direct-hire opportunities, in every industry. Staffing companies are experienced in hiring for all skill levels – ranging from entry-level all the way up to C-level executives and even company Presidents. Whether you are fresh out of school, looking for something to supplement your income, or want a complete career change it will be beneficial to your job search to learn what a staffing agency does and how you can use those services to your advantage.
What Does a Staffing Agency Do?
Companies of all shapes and sizes pay staffing agencies to find qualified staff for them. Job-seekers have the option to apply to advertised jobs, or they can just as easily reach out to staffing agency and indicate that they are looking for work. They agency will then pre-qualify applicants and interview those that are best suited for the positions that are being recruited for. The agency will place the selected candidates on assignment with one of their client firms and manage payroll.
If the business decides to hire the candidate on a full-time, permanent basis the agency will transition the candidate over to the client who will then assume responsibility for all payroll functions.
Why Should You Use a Staffing Agency?
As a job-seeker there are countless things you can expect to benefit from by enlisting the help of a staffing firm. Such as:
- It Is Free to Use: Because the agency is contracted by the company (aka ‘the client’) to find candidates, you will never be expected to pay any sort of fee in order to be considered for employment.
- They Do the Leg Work for You: When you register with a staffing agency, you will go through a pre-screen assessment where they ask about your specific skills and experiences and discuss whether or not they have an opportunity that might be a good fit. You also have the option of searching through available jobs on their website and most of the time these jobs aren’t advertised on other sites or by other companies. Keep in mind that there might also be jobs that aren’t advertised on the website, which is why it is always best to have a conversation with the recruiter about what exactly it is you are looking for.
- There are More Options: Yes, there are staffing agencies that specialize in certain industry, like dental or technical sciences, for example. But for those not looking for work in a highly specialized sector, staffing agencies provide a wide variety of job options, ranging from extremely short-term to direct-hire.
- They May Actually Make You a Better Candidate: Recruiters develop a knack for interviewing and candidate selection and will provide you with feedback throughout the entire process. This might include things like how to edit your resume to stand out in the pool, advice on how to dress for an interview, or how to address certain questions or situations.
How to Choose the Best Staffing Agency
When researching staffing companies to work with, it is important to understand the types of industries the agency specializes in and whether they provide temporary, temp-to-hire or direct-hire opportunities – or a combination of the three.
Visit the Association of Canadian Search, Employment & Staffing Services online company directory to find reputable agencies in your area.
Regardless of the agency you choose, when you do interview with a recruiter, remember to ask questions. You are interviewing them just as much as they are interviewing you. You may want to ask about benefits (and if they offer any), what type of employment opportunities they normally recruit for, which industries they are most successful in, and how long it typically takes for them to place a candidate on assignment.
Remember that you, at no time, should ever be asked to pay for the services provided by a staffing agency in order to secure employment. A reputable staffing agencies will always be paid by the client they recruit for – never by the candidate.
People Store has been providing award-winning staffing & recruitment services to the Canadian market since 2003. To learn more, visit our website.