Thousands of job seekers find employment through a staffing agency each day. Sometimes referred to as employment agencies, these organizations match workers with all kinds of jobs, both temporary and permanent.
Staffing agencies provide many services to eager job seekers to match them with the best employment opportunities. Before the agency assigns them a job, it prepares them for success by implementing several of the following services.
Learn About Resume Help
One of the most important deciding factors during the job search process is a resume. Your resume is a brief one-page document that summarizes your education, skills and qualifications.
Creating a resume can be tricky. Tailoring it to each job you apply for is even harder. Many staffing agencies help boost your resume with action words, sleek design and organization.
How to Search for a Job
Are you tired of searching high and low for a new job? Let the staffing agency do the hard work for you! Employment agencies use your information to find the best possible employers. After a short interview and a quick glance over your resume, the agency searches through its contacts to find a handful of possible employers.
Learn About Job Training
Some staffing agencies offer free training to its employees in a variety of industries. For example, the agency may have a program designed to help you master a software program. Take advantage of any free training opportunities you find, as it can enhance your resume, build your job skills and match you with hundreds of new employment opportunities in no time.
How to Find the Right Staffing Agency
No two staffing agencies are the same. Some provide access to all types of employment opportunities while others focus only on short-term or temporary work. Here are some tips to find the right staffing agency for you.
Tip #1: Determine Your Needs
Are you interested in permanent work? Would you prefer a temporary position? Understanding your employment needs is the first step in finding the right staff agency. Look over your resume and determine which type of job would be a good fit.
Tip #2: Do Your Homework
Before you interview with a staffing agency, research the organization. Find reviews from past employees to read about their experiences working with the agency. If possible, talk with someone who found employment through it. You don’t want any surprises down the road.
Tip #3: Ask Questions
During the interview, don’t forget to ask questions. Find out if the agency offers any benefits to its employees. Ask if the agency has any free employment services, such as training sessions or workshops. Some agencies are known for filling jobs in a certain industry, so ask the interviewer about the types of positions available.
Tip #4: Don’t Settle
If you aren’t satisfied with the staffing agency at the conclusion of the interview, don’t worry. There are hundreds of reputable firms out there. Remember, staffing agencies are paid by employers. If the organization requires you to pay for its services, walk away.
Learn About the Pros & Cons of Using Staff Agency Services
Deciding to use a staffing agency to find your next employment opportunity is a big decision. Before you make the leap, it’s important to understand the advantages and disadvantages of that decision. Here are a few pros and cons to consider.
Pros
- Getting a job through a staffing agency is completely free. Not only that, all services provided (job training, resume help, etc.) also come at no cost to you.
- Staffing agencies conduct the job search for you. Say goodbye to long nights of scrolling through endless job listings.
- Some staffing agencies provide job benefits. After working for a designated amount of time, you could qualify for health insurance, tuition reimbursement or a retirement savings plan.
- Staffing agencies boost your resume. Participating in a few job search activities is a great way to add valuable skills to your resume.
Cons
- Some recruiters must fill quotas. You might work with one who doesn’t seem to care much about your career goals and preferences.
- You might not find a job as quickly as you hoped. If the agent is having trouble searching for the right position, it could take some time before you start working.
Learn About the Top 10 Opportunities from Staffing Agencies
Many staffing agencies provide employment opportunities in a variety of occupational fields. However, there are a few positions that are commonly secured through employment agencies.
1. Administrative Assistant
Many companies require the organizational and clerical skills of administrative assistants. This position is common in staffing agencies due to the broad range of job skills and experience required of potential employees.
2. Lawn Maintenance & Landscaping
Groundskeeping positions are extremely common among staffing agencies, especially in areas with year-round warm climates. These positions may be skilled, semi-skilled or daily general labor.
3. Customer Service Representative
A customer service representative has outstanding intrapersonal and communications skills. This job is common in employment agencies because the skills needed to fulfill the position can easily be honed through workshops.
4. Warehouse Worker
A warehouse worker is an employee of a large manufacturer. He or she unloads shipments, does inventory and takes stock of products. Many staffing agencies have this position due to the flexibility of the position and few education requirements.
5. Front Desk/Concierge
Many hospitality jobs are common with staffing agencies, such as front desk agents or concierge. These jobs are popular in cities because of the growing need for bilingual hospitality workers.
6. Construction Worker
Many staffing agencies find daily general labor for those interested in construction, demolition and project cleanup. These are popular among staff agencies located in populous areas with constant construction projects.
7. Kitchen Staff
Foodservice positions are common in employment agencies. Most positions are easy to fill and do not have lengthy skill requirements.
8. Servers and Hosts
Most employment agencies match job seekers with positions as food servers and restaurant hosts. These jobs don’t require much work experience and tend to pay well.
9. Mover
Labor-intensive jobs like movers are common among most staffing agencies. If you are physically fit and looking for a hands-on job, becoming a mover is a good option.
10. Housekeeper
Staffing agencies have many contacts in the hospitality industry. Housekeeping is a common profession because of its few requirements, flexibility and demand.
Additional Resources: KFORCE Staffing Agency
