Working with Recruiting / Staffing Firms

These types of firms specialize in recruiting talent, and then placing that talent in various companies and industries. Most firms are looking for something specific when you apply such as a strong Accounting background or a solid Administrative background. Before you apply it is important you are submitting your information to reputable agencies.

Choosing the Right Agency

The agency that is right for you will be the one that makes you feel comfortable, confident, and catered to. Some firms will charge you for using their services; but if this is the case, stay away. Recruiters do not make money unless they place you, so you should not be charged for merely submitting your resume. Some agencies will take all the applicants they can get and charge the candidate a fee upfront. NEVER PAY AN AGENCY. Legitimate staffing agencies are successful only if their candidates are.

Some agencies are specialized and some are generalized. It's recommended that you work with the specialized agencies first. Most specialized agencies have the following lines of business:

-     Accounting and Finance (Accountants, Financial Support)
-     Administrative ( Receptionist, Filing, Office Support)
-     Technology ( Website, Technology professionals)
-     Legal (Paralegal, Litigation Support)
-     Healthcare (Medical Billing, Coding)
-     Creative (Creative Design, Marketing, Advertising)

If you feel like you do not fit any of these areas, using a generalized firm might be a better idea.

Positives of Staffing Firms

Although a lot of candidates frown upon having to use an extra resource such as a staffing firm, it is actually a great route to take. Most recruiters have solid relationships with companies in their area, and have a heads up when a company has a vacancy or need. Staffing agents may also present you to more than one company at a time, and if you are accepted to multiple companies, you have multiple options after just one interview! When agencies receive word of a job opening that fits your background, they will run all the factors by you such as pay, location, and what exactly you will be doing. If you have interest you can proceed, if not you can pass. Having options is a big perk to using a staffing agency!

Negatives of Staffing Firms

In the full spectrum of things, staffing firms are a positive resource to keep in mind. One issue people have with staffing agencies is confusion about pay. Some feel that they get paid less if they utilize this service.  It all depends on the firm, the position, and how desperate you are for a job.

The Staffing Firm Process

If your resume makes you appear worthy of interviewing, a staffing manager or recruiter will set up a time to bring you in. During your interview, they will ask you to provide pertinent information about your work history, desired pay, convenient location, and necessary details. Some firms might have you take skills assessments to determine some of your abilities. Do not get nervous; they do this to market you to clients. If you score well, the staffing manager could present your scores to clients to enhance your marketability. If you score poorly, your outcomes will not be revealed to clients. Staffing managers want to get you placed at a job, that is how they get paid! They will only reveal information to clients that will increase your chances of getting hired.

On top of testing and interviewing, you will be evaluated on your presentation and interview skills. Companies hire staffing agencies to staff for them in order to find top-notch employees without having to interview hundreds of people themselves; Therefore, your interview with the staffing agency is usually the only interview you have to do. Because of this, it is vital that you dress professionally and present yourself appropriately when interviewing at a staffing agency.

Once you have completed the interview process, staffing agencies follow up with your professional references and upload all your information into their system. This includes items such as your evaluation score, references, resume, and any other side notes the staffing manager might have made about you.

Once your information is in the system, agencies can actively market your resume to potential employers. They will call their clients and present your information, resume, and additional information.  A marketing conversation might go as follows: "Hi Bob this is Alex from XYZ Staffing, I wanted to let you know about a candidate I recently interviewed. She has over 8 years of Accounts Payable experience, scored an 85% on our evaluation test, and her references said she is a joy to work with. She is available immediately and she would love to get working for you this week."