Staffing agencies not only offer jobs themselves, but they can also be a great tool for the unemployed to find employment. Staffing agencies work with a variety of different companies looking for temporary, part, and full-time employees. Using a staffing agency can be a great idea, but not all experts agree it’s the way to go. Here’s a run-down of staffing agencies and whether or not you should consider using a staffing agency.
The Process
People who are unemployed, particularly those looking for a first job or to get back to work after a long absence, go to staffing agencies looking for work that suits their skills. Essentially, staffing agencies pilfer through an individual resume, skills, and work history, then look at the available positions, match employees and positions together, and voila, the unemployed are employed. The staffing agency usually either gets a cut from the client’s paycheck or might get paid by the company with a now filled position.
More Than Temporary Placement
One of the main concerns many job seekers have with staffing agencies is the myth that it’s only really possible to find entry-level and generally for short-term positions. This isn’t true. Some staffing agencies may be small enough and unequipped enough that it’s unlikely you’ll find a high paying position as CEO of a company for the rest of your life. There are good, long-term positions through most staffing agencies, not just six-month filing clerk gigs.
Not All Companies Are Looking For Permanent Workers
It’s also true that some staffing agencies can be a little bit confusing when it comes to what “temporary” means. Huffington Post writer Laura Bassett reports that many companies hire temporary workers when they need it, and then drop the employees when business isn’t booming. So, while you may walk into the office expecting to work hard enough to show the company they need you as more than a temporary employee, it may not matter how hard you work. The company might be going through a staffing agency specifically because they want to avoid getting anyone into a position with the word “permanent” attached.
Do Some Research Before Choosing
Additionally, the unfortunate truth is that staffing agencies don’t really have to place any value on any single worker as long as they’re getting most of their employees placed in good positions. While these situations are hopefully rare, in some cases staffing agencies assure job seekers they’ve got the job, only to find out too late the job isn’t actually theirs.
Staffing agencies charge a fee for their services, just like any other business. Exactly how payment occurs varies by the agency, but in nearly all of them, the agency doesn’t get paid if the unemployed customer doesn’t get a job. So, although it’s best for the agency to place every client they get, it’s important to do a little research before you choose an agency.
If you have the resources to search on your own, it might be worth your time, rather than your money, to find a position. If you find an agency with solid references and a good reputation and find yourself struggling to find a position, staffing agencies might be the way to go.
