A staffing agency can be a good source of job opportunities if you find the right one to work with. Here are five questions to ask before deciding which one is right for you.
1. Does the staffing company specialize in a niche that employs your skills?
Well-run staffing agencies won’t want to waste your time or theirs. If they can’t help you, they should say so. Finding a company that successfully places people with your type of skills will be key to success. Asking what types of positions they hold or the types of openings they have will give you an idea of whether it is worth your time to apply.
2. Does the recruitment agency have a reputation for placing quality talent? (Hint: you can tell from your selection process.)
Some temporary services will “hire” just about anyone who walks through the door. If it’s simply registering for work, it’s a safe bet that the staffing agency doesn’t have a reputation for quality work. You will suffer from association with such a company. It may seem like a supreme hassle to go through a rigorous screening process, but in the long run, your best bet is partnering with a highly respected company.
3. How is the firm’s external talent treated?
When you make the first contact, do you treat him with courtesy and respect? Does anyone take the time to have a real conversation with you? Or do they put it on hold for extended periods of time without anyone checking again? The best company to work with is one that recognizes its potential value to them and treats it accordingly.
Four. Is the communication honest and timely?
Work with a recruiter who communicates fully. That communication includes explaining your process and how you can facilitate your own success through it. It also includes timely comments (in both directions) and phone calls that are returned within one business day.
5. Does the recruiter require an exclusive relationship?
Contract or temporary placement professionals generally will not expect an exclusive placement relationship with you. They are working with a talent pool that is actively looking for work.
On the other hand, it is not unusual for an executive scout to require an exclusive relationship. You will want to know where you have already applied and you will want to be sure that you are not working with another recruiter. This may seem unreasonable until you realize that she tends to work with passive (active) candidates. The recruiter spends a lot of time and money screening you for a particular vacancy and all that effort is wasted if your application is already in the hands of your client. That said, a smart recruiter won’t turn his back on an active candidate with the right qualifications. The bottom line is: know what you’re getting into.
Knowing which staffing company or recruiter you want to work with and being a desirable candidate are two very different things. Staffing companies exist to find people for jobs, not jobs for people. For everyone to win, the agency must need it as much as you need it. The next article in this series focuses on five ways to attract a staffing company.