Do staffing agencies really help you find positions

I have a meeting with an agency today, i am really miserable at my current job and what makes it worse is that i dont even make a decent salary, do these agencies really help??????

Re: Do staffing agencies really help you find positions

They'll set you on interviews as often as they can. They only make a commission if you get the job. So, it's to their benefit to set you up with jobs that fit you best.

Re: Do staffing agencies really help you find positions

I'm a recruiter here and some people like agency's some don't. It really depends. It really depends on the agency's clients.

Some agency's have a lot of temp or temp to perm. A lot of people don't like that.
I have a few openings depending on what you do I may be able to help. I mostly deal with IT but happen to have a few clerical positions open.
If you want to give me a call I'll be happy to talk to you. I wouldn't say not to go but if you don't like the recruiter and how they handle your interview go to another agency. It's not worth dealing w/ some recruiters out there.

Re: Do staffing agencies really help you find positions

I have to say that there are good and bad agencies and recruiters.

I have seen them all, but for me it was th best way to cover as much ground as I could. I got into some of the best firms that way where otherwise I would have no in.

I highly recommend it.

Re: Do staffing agencies really help you find positions

I have to say, when I was searching for a job, agencies helped me not one bit...And I went to a lot!

Re: Do staffing agencies really help you find positions

I got my current job through a staffing agency. During my job search, I noticed that companies post positions with multiple agancies bc it doesn't cost them anything until they decide to hire a candidate. Also definitely negotiate your salary if you are offered a position. I think some agencies don't always have your best interest, they really want to make sure they get their fee. My friend told me that companies will reduce the salary sometimes to make up for the fee they have to pay.

Good Luck! It can't hurt to register with them.

Message edited 10/4/2006 10:34:22 AM.

Re: Do staffing agencies really help you find positions

randstad downtown is pretty good. When I worked at ML, a ton of temps to hire came from them.

Re: Do staffing agencies really help you find positions

Here's how an agency works

You have a contract w/ a specific client. Each client is different.
The agency interviews you & qualifies you. Then you are submitted to the open position(s).
The $ changes from temp, temp-perm, and perm.

Perm-The client is contracted on a flat fee say 15% of your yearly salary goes to the agency. A recruiter gets a % of that fee. It is in the recruiter bet interest to get you as much & as they can.
Temp-Perm-The client is contracted on a % mark up. If you are being paid $10/PH and there is a $50% mark up the client is billed $15/PH for every hour you work. The recruiter gets a % of the $5 spread. It's usually 3 months temp so when the client takes you perm the agency no longer collect any $. Sometimes there is a fee to take people perm but usually not on LI. If there is a fee or not it can impact the % the client is charged.

You should NEVER pay an agency!

Re: Do staffing agencies really help you find positions

I think they are great. They have helped me A LOT. In fact I'm at a job now that a staffing agency got me. I recommend signing up and going to meet with 2 or 3 of them. There's always one that will stand out from the rest and one or two that you won't hear from again.

I really recommend them.

Re: Do staffing agencies really help you find positions

I think it depends on the field you are in. DH has used them in the past and some of them didn't even really understand what he did for a living. It was better for him to use a firm that specialized in placing people with his background. Another one was staffed by young, inexperienced people who wasted a lot of his time. He did have good experiences with a few, but he also had really bad experiences.

I don't think most of the companies in my field even use them.

Re: Do staffing agencies really help you find positions

that's how I got the job that I'm currently in.

I'm still temping but it's an unlimited assignment.

I'm hoping I go perm though just because I want to have benefits.

Re: Do staffing agencies really help you find positions

I've used staffing firms/recruiters, and they have worked very well for me. In my field, it's almost preferred to come through a recruiter, because they meet with you and select the positions that your skills are a good match for. They do the pre-screening that many companies don't have the time to do.

HOWEVER, I have delt with some really shady recruiters and have gotten burned by them.

Also, keep in mind, that Companies use more than one recruiting firm to fill positions. If you have multiple recruiters working on your behalf, and if you aren't on top of where they are sending your resume to, it is very possible that your resume will go to a company more than once, represented by more than one recruiter.

If you decide to use more than one recruiting firm, just be sure you know exactly what companies they are sending your resume to.

If you meet with a recruiter that you dont like, make sure you tell them you 1) have reconsidered looking for a new position at this time or 2) tell them you've decided to work with another firm/agency. It's good to cut the strings with a recruiter as soon as you realize you don't want to be represented by them anymore.

Re: Do staffing agencies really help you find positions

I'm a manager at a staffing agency and agree 100% with what people have said about good and bad agencies. We're here to help our clients and candidates find what they are looking for. Almost all agencies work on a contingency basis meaning our clients pay our fees, not our candidates. Agencies who work on retainer are usually hired to fill or find very senior level positions. One thing that may help when dealing with agencies is to remember they are a resource for your job search and should not be relied on 100% to find you a job because we can only work with what our clients have available or market you to clients who may have a need for someone with your professional experience. A staffing agency should never send your resume anywhere without your approval and if you don't feel comfortable with the recruiter, go somewhere else! There are a lot of reputable agencies out there who are truly interested in helping people and not only in it for the $$$. FM me if you need assistance as I may be able to help.

Re: Do staffing agencies really help you find positions

I have worked for the same staffing agency for about 2 almost 3 years now. I've had a few different positions, but have been placed at Levitz for a little over a year now in a few different departments. I keep asking the agency if they have anything permament....they just keep tellign me they are looking. Now I see why they want to keep me as a temp.