Staffing Agencies

[RazzleCat]

Has anyone used them? What were your responses. So far a couple of them have found me on Monster and contacted me about specific positions that fit my skills. Both of these positions was not advertised and are exactly what I am looking for. I am curious about the success rate you may have had with them. As of yet I have not heard back from either company, but one of them gave me the "vibe" that they really were going to work to get me the job. Lots of tips about the hiring company, tweaking my resume to the specific position, and background on the HR person of the company. I am still waiting to hear back, but my hopes are high. Is this normal? The working with me to groom me for the position or do they truly think I am the right person and are working to ensure me the position.

FYI, I pay nothing for the service, the hiring company pays them, so I am out nothing, but they do have a vested interest in seeing that someone they send gets the job.

[calico1]

1. I too had been contacted by a few

while job hunting. One I went and registered with and they were super nice. But I got a job before they placed me with anyone. If the positions are what you are looking for and there is no charge then definitely add it to your job search. I think it can be a good idea to register with a few of them. A lot of times they have temp to hire jobs. Or direct hiring jobs. I did get a few nutty calls though. I think most of them use key word searches and then try to recruit you using just the key word they did the search on. One time I got a call from a woman who thought I could be an excellent Arriba IT help desk supporter. I had on my resume that I was familiar with Arriba. That doesn't mean I know how to solve problmes for other users. And I got some other calls like this that were totally off the wall. But since you say that these are positions that suit you, I would go ahead and register. As long as you don't have to pay a fee. I did not end up working for an agency this time around but the last two times I looked for work I landed both jobs starting as a temp. So I know that route can work. Good luck to you.

[yy4me]

2. Many years and several jobs ago, I registered with 2 agencies.

Had to take all their tests, both on the computer and paper tests. Even though I told them my interests, I was called many times with job opportunities that were of no interest to me. Both agencies I met with told me that there were no fees to me, they were paid by the listing employer. It is in their interest to get you in the door of a company that can use you. They found you is better than you going to them, in my opinion. After a point, I told both not to call me again. When I said I had limited computer skills, they were ticked off that I did not want to interview with a company that needed very computer literate staff. It is embarrassing to go on an interview and find that you are not at all what they expected. Happened to me twice. I found I was better off looking on my own. Others have had good luck. I guess it depends on your strong points and how well you mesh with the description.

[area51]

3. Agencies

I've found them to be a joke. They talk a good game, but in the end, they don't work for you, they work for the people who pay them -- the company. I've never landed a job through an agency.