26 PRIVATE EMPLOYMENT OR PLACEMENT AGENCIES Recruiting and staffing services can be excellent resources in your job search. Also consider using placement agencies. These agencies work with jobseekers to develop their job seeking skills. Placement agencies provide temporary (a day, a few weeks or longer) job search services. BENEFITS OF USING A RECRUITING SERVICE Recruiters focus on matching your skills with the job openings of companies. The business generally pays the fees for these services so there is no cost to you. Because of this, the recruiters’ interests match the client or company. Ask questions of recruiters to ensure that they are forwarding your resume to multiple businesses to see who would be interested in hiring you. Recruiters search for qualified candidates for permanent, full-time positions. These firms are also called headhunters or executive search firms. • You often get access to unadvertised openings • A third party (the recruiting firm) is working to match your skills and long-term goals to a job BENEFITS OF USING A STAFFING SERVICE AND DOING TEMPORARY WORK Placement agencies have staff who match workers with short-term or temporary-to-permanent positions. They’re sometimes known as contract firms or employment agencies. When you finish a short-term work assignment, the agency looks for another assignment for you since you are still an employee of the staffing agency. However, the agencies do not provide direct supervision of their employees at the work sites of the businesses. • You can gain work experience, develop skills, obtain training and increase networking contacts • You can earn money while you look for permanent work • It’s easier to get a job when you have a job • You may be able to get more flexible hours or working conditions to accommodate your personal situation • Sometimes employers offer permanent positions to temporary or “temp” workers who perform well • You can check out an employer or an occupation before making a commitment to working for a particular organization Temporary employees generally do not receive paid days off. Also keep in mind that most placement agencies do not offer health insurance, but some may make it available after you have worked for a set period of time. TIPS FOR WORKING WITH EMPLOYMENT AGENCIES Before you work with any employment agency, find out what services you can expect and what will be expected of you. Make sure you ask whether it will cost you anything. For short-term contract work, ask about the pay rate, benefits and length of assignments. Also, let them know the hours and days you’re able to work, if you are available for overtime, and your transportation and salary needs. Here are some additional tips: BE PROFESSIONAL Treat the staff at these agencies as you would a potential employer. In the case of temp agencies, the staff there will employ you. BE AVAILABLE Most agencies expect you to be available when they offer you work. Know that if you turn down more than a few offers, they may not consider you for work in the future. EXPAND YOUR JOB SEARCH Avoid using agencies as your only job search tool. CHECK YOUR BENEFITS Short-term wages may reduce benefits such as Unemployment Insurance. But it may also extend the length of time that you can receive benefits. Before accepting or rejecting work, check with the agency from whom you receive your benefits.
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