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How effective are temp/employment agencies?

I am planning to make a move to Minnesota, and I would need a job right away, are employment agencies the best way to go? I know I have read from reviews that some agencies don't really help you at all, but if I were to apply to multiple ones, would I for sure get a job?

Public Comments

1. Well, I accually developed a fairly good career through hershey's choclate company, where I was offered advancement oppertunities; and really great incentives; untill the economy dropped where I came from but that was a very poor area. But the point is in todays economy the big dogs are suffering also and are looking for cheep employees, by going through a temp agency the save money on usually pay; insurance and the whole ad and interview process...In todays job market it really is the way to go...
2. Last summer I applied to a temp agency, and they got me a job within 4 hours. I was completely shocked. I was sent to a bottling factory and now I've been sent to a cheese factory. The downside is that I only make $8 an hour, but a job is a job. It all depends on the area you're moving to. From my experience, temp agencies are effective. You just have to be willing to have a tight budget, because it isn't certain that you'll be working full-time. If you tell them your background and how much you need the job, just as long as you give no excuses and are grateful for every job they place you in, you should be fine. Oh, I also wanted to say that I went to that agency with no experience at all. I had nothing, and yet I got a job right away.
3. You are correct that some agencies are not helpful. Generally this is true if you if the match between you/your skill set and the agency are not right on. Agencies are only good if they are a good fit for your skill set. Also, remember that agencies work for their clients (the companies they represent) first, and you are their product (and also a client). So when you speak to an agency it's important to make sure they are focused on your core skill set, have company clients that you are interested in working with, and are honest enough to tell you when they can't be helpful. You should treat an interview with an agency exactly as if you were interviewing directly with an employer. Applying at multiple agencies may be one of the only ways to find a good fit - but it won't automatically land you a job. It will increase your chances depending on how flexible you are willing to be in order to find work.
4. apply at many. usually you get the temp jobs no one else wants. companies don't even want to give their employees those jobs... big cleanup jobs, etc. sometimes you get lucky though. there's probably 20 feet of snow in Minnesota right now and lots of unemployed. Go where the work is.