How to Choose a Temporary Staffing Agency
Find the Right Temp Agency to Find the Perfect Job
Jul 3, 2009
In today's uncertain job market, temping has become a popular way for employees to develop new skills, and build resume experience while they look for a full-time job. A quick internet search will show that there are many firms that provide temporary employment services. Choosing which agency to register with can be overwhelming, but asking the right questions can make the decision easier.
What to Ask a Temp Agency
- What is your specialty? Many employment agencies have subdivisions that specialize in specific fields, such as sales staffing, medical and legal staffing, and administrative positions.
- What kind of clients do you work with? And in what industries? Some staffing agencies work with a roster of huge corporations, some place candidates at smaller companies, and some work with a mixture of both.
- How many candidates do you place every week?
- Do you have a slow season? What is your busiest time for placements?
- Do you offer long-term and temp-to-hire opportunities, or do you focus primarily on temporary assignments?
- Given my current skills, what kind of job would I be placed in? What skills upgrades would make me more employable in my chosen industry?
- Do you offer benefits? Some staffing agencies offer their candidates free online training, tuition reimbursement for skills upgrading, and even paid statutory holidays.
- Who do I contact if I have a problem while on a temporary assignment?
- What kind of salary can I expect to earn, given my current skills?
Make the Staffing Agency Decision
Job seekers should try and find a staffing agency that they "click" with. Job seekers will hopefully develop a long and fruitful relationships with their temporary agency, and will be in contact with them on a regular basis. Also factoring in the decision of choosing a temporary agency should be what benefits are offered, and the potential for career advancement.
Many temps register with more than one employment agency, to ensure that they will have a steady stream of job opportunities. Temporary employees should keep in mind that if they are registered with many agencies, they may find themselves turning down more work than they accept. Turning down enough work may result in the candidate no longer being at the top of an agency's list, so it's best to deal with only a few temporary agencies.
Building the Relationship as a Temp
Once candidates have registered with a temporary agency, it's important to continue building their relationship with their agency, and using the staffing agency to develop their job skills. Temp agencies can be a valuable resource for job seekers, providing advice on building a resume, what skills are most in demand, and how to ace a job interview.
Working with a temporary agency is an excellent way for job seekers to build resume credits, learn new skills, and research different industries to find the perfect job. Taking the time to select the right staffing agency is well worth the exciting career opportunities the agency can provide.
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