{"id":2723,"date":"2018-09-06T21:41:54","date_gmt":"2018-09-06T21:41:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/phlebotomyexaminer.com\/?p=2723"},"modified":"2018-09-14T16:11:25","modified_gmt":"2018-09-14T16:11:25","slug":"staffing-agency-to-find-a-job","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/phlebotomyexaminer.com\/staffing-agency-to-find-a-job\/","title":{"rendered":"Should I Use a Staffing Agency to Find a Job?"},"content":{"rendered":"
With the population growing fast, millions of Americans are entering the workforce each day. The best job postings are oversaturated with applicants, allowing employers to pick and choose who they hire from a huge pool of candidates. It’s only the jobs that nobody else wants<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0(despite the great pay!) that are readily available to people who are seeking work.<\/p>\n According to Time<\/a><\/strong>, an average of 59 people apply for each open job position. Employers interview around 12% of applicants. Of those interviewed, only 17% are subsequently hired. There\u2019s no denying it: the job market today is tough!<\/p>\n That\u2019s why more job seekers are now enlisting staffing agencies to help them find a job. Many companies employ staffing agencies to find suitable candidates for their open positions. As staffing agencies make their money from helping job seekers find work, they\u2019re often the quickest and easiest way to find work in America.<\/p>\n Today, we\u2019re going to examine how staffing agencies work, what kind of job you could get using one, and how long it might take. We\u2019ll also look at the pros and cons of using a staffing agency to find a job. Finally, we\u2019ll provide tips on how to get a job through a staffing agency.<\/p>\n [su_list icon=”icon: check-circle”]<\/p>\n So, what exactly are staffing agencies? In essence, they\u2019re a type of company acting as the middleman between the employer and the job seeker. Medium to large-sized companies often pay these agencies to help them fill vacant positions. From the perspective of the employer, staffing agencies save valuable time and money. They take care of the entire hiring process, from start to finish.<\/p>\n When a company has a vacant job position, they\u2019ll contact their staffing agency to let them know. They\u2019ll provide information about the position, including hours, pay, duties, and candidate requirements. The agency then searches their candidate database for potential matches. They can also post the job advertisement online, on behalf of the employer.<\/p>\n It\u2019s the responsibility of the agency to match candidates to suitable positions, depending on their skills, qualifications, and experience. They build up their database of potential candidates by searching through r\u00e9sum\u00e9s posted online, on websites such as LinkedIn. Job hunters can also contact agencies directly and ask to be included in their database.<\/p>\n Once the agency matches a candidate for a position, they submit their r\u00e9sum\u00e9 and recommend them for an interview.\u00a0 The agency then helps the candidate to prepare for the interview in any way they can. It’s very much in their interests to get you hired by one of their clients.<\/p>\n Staffing agencies come under many names. To name but a few, you may be familiar with the following alternative terms:<\/p>\n Somebody who works for a staffing agency may be called a \u201crecruiter\u201d, \u201cheadhunter\u201d, or \u201ctalent sourcer\u201d.<\/p>\n In essence, these terms all refer to the same type of organization: a company which helps match candidates to jobs. However, different agencies can vary substantially in the types of help that they offer, both to job seekers and clients. For instance, agencies labeled as \u201ctalent acquisition\u201d may specialize in finding employees with very specific and rare skills.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Temp agencies are slightly different to other staffing agencies. They deal exclusively with finding candidates to fill temporary positions. According to the United States Department of Labor<\/a><\/strong>, to be considered \u201ctemporary\u201d the job must last for one year or less.<\/p>\n There are various reasons why an employer may seek a temporary employee:<\/p>\n Other staffing agencies may deal with temporary positions as well as permanent ones.<\/p>\n [\/su_list]<\/p>\n According to the American Staffing Association, agencies usually offer four main types of jobs:<\/p>\n Usually, agencies labeled as \u201cstaffing agencies\u201d or \u201ctemp agencies\u201d focus on temporary or temp-to-hire positions. Recruitment agencies generally specialize in finding employees for permanent positions. However, some staffing agencies also hire candidates for permanent jobs.<\/p>\n Staffing agencies exist for almost all job industries. Whether you\u2019re a bartender, administrative assistant, web developer or therapist, there are agencies specializing in your area of interest.<\/p>\n [su_list icon=”icon: check-circle”]<\/p>\n Now that we\u2019re familiar with what staffing agencies are and how they work, let\u2019s look at the pros and cons. To start with, we\u2019ll go through the advantages of using a staffing agency to help you find a job.<\/p>\n Staffing agencies have the ability to contact multiple companies every day on your behalf. If you lead a busy life and have no time to spare for job hunting, an agency will help immensely.<\/p>\n Once you apply to a staffing agency, they\u2019ll do all the hard work for you. You provide them with your skills, experience, knowledge, and qualifications. You can also advise them on your preferred salary, hours, an area in which you\u2019d like to work. Then, all that\u2019s left to do is sit back and relax.<\/p>\n The agency will scour its available jobs, searching for a potential match. Once they find one, they\u2019ll apply for the job on your behalf, and arrange an interview. Because staffing agencies get paid when you work, they\u2019re invested in finding you work as quickly as possible.<\/p>\n And don\u2019t forget: you\u2019re allowed to use as many agencies as you want simultaneously. With multiple agencies all applying to scores of companies for you, you\u2019ll save plenty of time.<\/p>\n It\u2019s completely free to use a staffing agency to help you find a job. This is because you, as the job seeker, are not the client. Staffing agencies have no reason to take money from you, as they get paid by the companies looking for employees.<\/p>\n As a job seeker, you\u2019re essentially the \u201cservice\u201d which the agency is selling to the employer. This is a good thing from the job seeker’s perspective, as it means the agency helps you at no cost to you.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Occasionally, you may come across a staffing agency which tries to charge you for using their services. This is not the done thing, and any reputable agency would frown upon this practice. If an agency is trying to charge you to be included in their database, look elsewhere.<\/p>\n When you use the internet to find a job<\/strong><\/a> using sites like Indeed, Monster or LinkedIn, you\u2019re only seeing the tip of the iceberg. So many vacant positions are never published online, or anywhere else for that matter. The jobs that you\u2019ll find online are only a small percentage of vacancies out there.<\/p>\n Jobs that employers don\u2019t advertise are often referred to as the \u201chidden job market<\/strong><\/a>\u201d. While networking is a great way to tap into this market, staffing agencies are another valuable tool. Many employers, rather than publishing adverts online, will contact their agency to find a candidate through them.<\/p>\n Agencies often post jobs online, to advertise them if they haven\u2019t got enough suitable candidates in their pool. However, for many jobs, they simply contact the people in their database to place them directly. This means that by getting your name into an agency database, you\u2019re privy to hundreds or thousands of potential jobs that you wouldn\u2019t have otherwise found.<\/p>\n As we\u2019ve mentioned, it\u2019s in the best interests of the agency to get you hired as soon as possible. The more employees they place, and the sooner they do it, the more they get paid. For this reason, agencies routinely offer invaluable advice on every aspect of the job search.<\/p>\n A staffing agent may:<\/p>\n It\u2019s sometimes worth getting in touch with a staffing agency purely for the help they can offer. Even if you don\u2019t end up getting a job through them, you should always appreciate the advice.<\/p>\n The employment agency industry is growing and growing. There aren\u2019t just a handful of agencies to choose from \u2013 there are hundreds, if not thousands. Almost every job industry in the world has staffing and recruitment agencies, specializing in that particular area. So, no matter what your area of expertise is, there\u2019s an agency waiting to find a job for you. This is particularly useful if you\u2019re<\/p>\n There are also many different types of agencies. If you\u2019re looking to be placed in a position quickly, try a temp agency. If you\u2019re looking to find a lifelong career position, go for a recruitment company specializing in permanent roles. If you\u2019re open to anything, there are general staffing agencies offering a variety of roles.<\/p>\n We\u2019d be lying if we claimed that getting a job through a staffing agency was all sunshine and roses. Like most things in life, there are some downsides, too.<\/p>\n Here are the disadvantages to using a staffing agency to help find you a job:<\/p>\n Usually, when you join a company as a permanent employee, your employer will offer you certain benefits. Depending on your job and your employer, these may vary.<\/p>\n However, they may include:<\/p>\n <\/p>\n However, when you\u2019re hired through an agency, you usually aren\u2019t entitled to many of the benefits that a non-agency employee would have. This is because you\u2019re not considered an employee of the company, but an employee of the agency.<\/p>\n The only thing that you\u2019re entitled to under federal law is unpaid time off, as long as you have a valid excuse. For paid time off and other benefits, you\u2019ll have to consult your local and state laws. In some states, for example, temporary workers can accrue PTO after working a certain number of hours.<\/p>\n The good thing is that many staffing agencies offer certain employee benefits, in lieu of the company. You\u2019ll have to contact the agency itself to find out exactly what they offer.<\/p>\n A study published in the Journal of Organizational Behavior<\/a><\/strong> found that agency workers experience significantly lower job satisfaction than permanent employees. This may be due to the feeling of being separated from, or different to, the permanent employees. You may feel a level of disconnectedness due to being an employee of an agency, and not receiving the benefits that permanent employees have. As most positions acquired through agencies are temporary, you may also feel as though it isn\u2019t worth getting to know people, as you\u2019ll be moving on soon enough.<\/p>\n Another study in Employee Relations<\/a><\/strong> found that agency workers in longer-term assignments integrate further into the workplace environment than short-term workers. This results in improved relationships with permanent staff, and commitment to the employer. So, for your best chance at job satisfaction, you should opt for a long-term or temporary-to-hire position.<\/p>\n Recruiters and temp agency staff often have to meet certain quotas in terms of matching candidates to positions. For this reason, they may not always have your best interests at heart. If an agency needs to fill a position fast, they may try to talk you into taking a job that wouldn\u2019t suit you.<\/p>\n Not only that, but if there are problems with a company \u2013 such as a hostile workplace environment, unsafe working conditions, or a tyrannical supervisor \u2013 the agency may not reveal this to you. After all, the company is paying them to fill vacant positions. They have no reason to reveal any information that may put you off taking the job.<\/p>\n Fortunately, not every recruitment agency is like this. If you ever feel pressured into taking a job that you feel would be unsuitable, simply go elsewhere.<\/p>\n Now that you understand how staffing agencies work, you may be wondering: how much do agencies make for each employee that they recruit? And where exactly do they get their money from? Do temp agencies take a cut of your pay?<\/p>\n Different agencies may make money in various ways. Usually, staffing agencies make money by one of the following:<\/p>\n Contrary to popular thought, staffing agencies don\u2019t take money directly out of your pay. The company and agency agree on your wage, and the agency then charges a markup on top. This markup could range anywhere from 25% to 100%. It pays for things like taxes, insurance, office costs, and the recruiters\u2019 salaries. If the company wasn\u2019t paying an agency, they wouldn\u2019t give the extra money to you; they\u2019d spend it on paying taxes and insurance themselves.<\/p>\n This means that you should earn around the same amount as a permanent employee would. To be sure, talk to the agency before signing up, and share your concerns. If you suspect they may dock your pay, move on to a different agency.\u00a0 Remember that you\u2019re entitled to US minimum wage no matter what.<\/p>\n By now, you should have a good idea of whether you want to give it a go through a staffing agency. You\u2019re familiar with how these agencies work, the types of work that you could get, and all the pros and cons.\u00a0 For many people, staffing agencies are a great way to find work quickly and without all the hassle of job-hunting.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n To finish off, we\u2019ll leave you with some final tips on how to get a job using a staffing agency. Follow these steps and you\u2019re sure to be in employment before long.<\/p>\n If you\u2019re wondering \u201chow long does it take to get a job through a temp agency\u201d, the key is exposure. There\u2019s no limit to how many staffing agencies you can sign up for. The more agencies that have your details, the faster you\u2019ll be chosen for a job. Instead of contacting only one, contact as many relevant agencies as you can find. You can use the American Staffing Association\u2019s<\/a><\/strong> website to find suitable agencies.<\/p>\n After contacting the agency, the next step will usually be an interview. This is not an interview for any particular job. Rather, it\u2019s so that the agency can get a better idea of who you are and what jobs you\u2019d be suited to. It\u2019s important to treat this interview as though it were a \u201creal\u201d one, as it can hugely influence which kinds of jobs your agent will apply you for.<\/p>\n Bring your r\u00e9sum\u00e9, an example cover letter, and dress smartly. It\u2019s a good idea to bring a notepad and pen so that you can jot down any hints and tips they give you. By treating the interview seriously, the agency will be able to comment on and critique your interview technique. This will give you a better chance of landing a job.<\/p>\n Be honest with the staffing agency about your skills, experience, and abilities. Lying or embellishing yourself in any way will only serve to your disadvantage. The agency may place you in a job which isn\u2019t a good fit, and you\u2019ll end up back in square one.<\/p>\n Be honest with yourself. If you truly don\u2019t want a certain kind of job, don\u2019t be a yes-man and accept anything going. You may end up making yourself miserable. However, at the same time, try to remain flexible and open-minded. Being too narrow with your availability and preferences will make it harder for agencies to find you something.<\/p>\nWhat are Staffing Agencies and How Do They Work?<\/h2>\n
What\u2019s the Difference between a Staffing Agency and a Temp Agency?<\/h3>\n
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What Type of Job Could I Get Through an Agency?<\/h3>\n
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Why Temp Agencies Are a Good Idea<\/h3>\n
1) Saves You Time<\/h4>\n
2) It\u2019s a Free Service<\/h4>\n
3) Not All Jobs are Advertised<\/h4>\n
4) Feedback and Advice<\/h4>\n
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5) So Much Choice<\/h4>\n
Why Staffing Agencies are a Bad Idea<\/h3>\n
1) Fewer Employee Benefits<\/h4>\n
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2) Lower Job Satisfaction<\/h4>\n
3) Agencies Work for Companies, Not You<\/h4>\n
How Much do Temp Agencies Make Off Their Employees?<\/h3>\n
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How to Get a Job Using a Staffing Agency<\/h3>\n
1) Contact as Many Agencies as Possible<\/h4>\n
2) Treat Interviews Seriously<\/h4>\n
3) Be Honest, Yet Flexible<\/h4>\n
4) Be Persistent<\/h4>\n