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What is your opinion on temporary employment agencies?

I'm a full time college junior. In addition to using the career center at my school, I'm thinking about going to an employment agency. I want to start looking for work in the field I want to get into (business major). What is your opinion on temp agencies (or employment agencies)? Do they really help you find work and does it take a long time?

Public Comments

1. Depends on which agency you are going to. I mean there are several staffing agencies, but you gotta watch for some as they just post jobs on their websites to get applicants in their system, thats all. The worst agency ever is JnJ staffing. You gotta do your homework. I deal with a lot of staffing agencies. I must say they sure do help as many companies has started going to employment agencies for hiring. Its like a 3rd party HR.
2. yes they are helpful, use good ones like Adecco
3. Agencies provide a service to their clients - and the companies that pay the bills are their clients. You are not their client. You are the candidate that they make money on if the agency makes the right match. Agencies want to place you in a job they are recruiting for right now. So if you are a full time student and not available for temp or full time work - right now - agencies aren't going to want to work with you. A good agency will tell you, point blank, if they believe they can help you or not. So you need to interview an agency just like you would a job. Find an agency that specializes in your skill set and/or career goal. And one that also has connections to the industry and/or companies you are interested in working for. Before you decide that you want to consider an agency to find you work or get you interviews, ask yourself these questions: How flexible am I willing to be when the agency calls with an opportunity that doesn't seem spot on? Will I take the interview or temp job and expose myself to the company? If the answer is yes, then you're more valuable to the agency, and they are more willing to work with you. What is my current, immediate flexibility to interview and then accept a job? If you are only available 1 day a week between 1pm and 2pm to interview - it decreases your ability to work with an agency by about 90% in most cases. What salary am I looking for - and how do I know that is in the range for the current market? If you don't know the market salary for the jobs you are qualified for, get informed before you talk to an agency. Do I have the time to invest in the agency process to become their candidate? Agencies will want a response from you as immediately as possible. Waiting 1/2 a day to respond to them causes them to question your seriousness about a new job. Once you commit, you commit at 100%. It only takes one time that you don't show for an interview and you are no longer their candidate.