Had any experience with employment agencies?

[wakemewhenitsover]

Looking for work, trying to figure out if I should give them a try.
:shrug:

[Avalux]

1. I got my current job through one.

They actually found me; called me after seeing my resume on Monster. The company I work for uses them all the time to find people. Give it a try - can't hurt! :hi:

[wakemewhenitsover]

2. Well, that's cool.

Reason I'm slow to sign up is, last time I tried, a few years ago, it was a giant waste of time.

Did you find your job recently, i.e. in this miserable economic climate?

[Avalux]

11. I found my job last year, July.

I had been unemployed for awhile before that. I see you've taught school abroad, but don't have a license to teach here. Is that something you may want to do?

[wakemewhenitsover]

14. Yes...

...I'm boning up for the certification test.

[rbnyc]

3. What's your field? (nt)

[wakemewhenitsover]

4. EFL (English as a Foreign Language) teacher in Europe w/decent admin skills and experience

I'm not certified to teach in the US, so I've been focusing on admin jobs.

[rbnyc]

5. I see tons of jobs every day in not-for-profit.

Most are direct service or fundraising. You can get entry level fundraising with admin skills. idealist.org is best resource.

[wakemewhenitsover]

6. Thanks for the ideas.

I was unfamiliar idealist.org -- I'll check it out. The nonprofit section of craigslist here in FL is asleep, unfortunately.

[madinmaryland]

7. It can't hurt to try. Since you are not working you don't have to worry

about them sending your resume to someone that might embarrass you in your current job.

[Amerigo Vespucci]

8. Long time ago...here's what I can share

It's 100% about them, and 0% about you.

So if you know that going in, you'll be OK. If you have any false concept of them wanting to "help" you, you will be disappointed.

It's about you being marketable. If you have a skill that one of their clients need, they can market you to that client. Sending qualified candidates...people who can step into an open position with the least amount of hand-holding and training...is a feather in the agency's cap.

I'm not talking about the agencies that let you go in and practice your typing or MS Office skills. They also are doing it in the name of making you "marketable." For the most part, however, if you can do the job today...and can demonstrate that...they will go to work on your behalf.

Right now employers are much more choosy. So if you see an open position with an agency that you like, it behooves you to do a "Column A, Column B" resume...you list the employer's requirements and for every item on the list you provide work experience that is directly relevant to that requirement.

They want to place you and collect their commission with the least amount of work possible on their end. Knowing that is your recipe for success with employment agencies. Best of luck to you.

[wakemewhenitsover]

9. Thanks for the insights.

You're right about the 100% them/0% you ratio, and the idea of someone getting you a job leaves you vulnerable to a sort of Stockholm Syndrome.

[Orrex]

10. How much nudity is required?

Like others in the thread, I got my current job through one. I have to say that I was lucky and got a very helpful company and my contact there was particularly helpful. If you get in touch with a good agency, it can potentially point you to opportunities that might not otherwise have been available.

Good luck to you!

[tigereye]

12. wake me! How are ya?

:hi: Husband deals with computer-guy-type recruiters, but that's all.

[wakemewhenitsover]

13. Howdy!

:hi: Hanging in there, to resort to the phrase of the hour (more like, the phrase of the however-many-hours-are-in-the-past-few-years).

[tigereye]

15. I've been considering a career change and work has been

more than a bit slow, so I empathize. :hi: Good luck in your job search.

[datasuspect]

16. what you tryin to do?

[wakemewhenitsover]

17. Admin or education or a combo thereof