By Rachel Zupek, CareerBuilder.com writer >>>Next: Top 10 Companies Hiring This Week
When job seekers hear the words "staffing firm," they tend to think three things: costly, part time and low wages. In most cases, staffing agencies are just the opposite. In fact, anyone can make their next career move by partnering with a staffing agency at no cost and for any position.
Find a Job
Search by Company | Search by Industry
"Staffing agencies work with candidates for all types of positions at every level of organizations, from the face that greets you at the reception desk to the manager who is your main point of contact, right up to the CEO," says Loren King Shields, director of eBusiness strategy at Select Staffing, a California-based recruitment firm.
Unfortunately, recruitment, a $92 billion industry, is virtually untouched by job seekers. Forty percent of job candidates are unable to name a single staffing firm from memory and only 20 percent have used a staffing firm in their most recent job search, according to a recent study by CareerBuilder.com and the Inavero Institute for Service Research.
Instead, job seekers are utilizing other resources in their search for employment. The average candidate uses up to four different sources in his or her search and only 4 percent of people turn to recruiters as their first method, according to the survey.
It behooves job candidates, however, to use staffing agencies in their job searches because of their unique relationships with companies.
Rick Gray, senior vice president of marketing and communications for Hudson, a global staffing firm, says his firm makes a genuine effort to build lasting relationships with candidates to "help find the right role in helping them fulfill their career aspirations and to better match their skills and knowledge, development objectives and cultural or work orientation with specific client needs."
Benefits of using a recruitment firm
One benefit to speak of is that most agencies possess unique relationships with Fortune 500 firms, says Jay Rogers, vice president of recruiting for Think Resources, an engineering placement firm.
"Large companies have more money and less time to spend finding talented candidates for open positions," Rogers says. "Fortune 500s frequently hire staffing companies because [they] afford them a greater deal of efficiency for a minimal cost. Second to your father being the VP of human resources, a staffing firm may be the best way to get your foot in the door."
Additionally, DeLynn Senna, executive director of permanent placement services in North America for Robert Half International, says staffing firms offer candidates the advantage of having a partner in their job search.
"By working with a staffing firm, job seekers can learn about opportunities they might not be able to find on their own. Through their connections in the business community, recruiters often know about openings before they are advertised," Senna says. Additionally, recruiters can help enhance your résumé and interviewing skills.
Along with learning about unknown opportunities, Josie Huber, director of sourcing and recruiting for Kelly Services, a world leader in human resources solutions, says job seekers might find work in industries they might not have looked before.
"Often, job seekers are focused on finding a job only within their specific area or skill set and may fail to recognize the transferable skills they possess for another type of job or within a different industry," Huber says. "Staffing firms can assist job seekers in identifying their strengths, along with how to successfully communicate those attributes to a prospective employer."
Fact or fiction?
Aside from not knowing the benefits of utilizing a staffing firm, job candidates also have major misconceptions surrounding recruiting. Here are a few of the most common false impressions of staffing firms:
Myth No.1: Recruiting firms only place for temporary or part-time positions. Ten percent of job candidates believe staffing firms only place for temporary positions, according to the Inavero study.
Truth: Not all positions recruiters staff for are part time or temporary; the ones that are often lead to full-time opportunities.
"Temporary staffing can serve as a bridge to permanent employment," says Melanie Holmes, vice president of World of Work Solutions at Manpower, a Milwaukee-based staffing firm. "It provides an excellent opportunity for an associate to demonstrate his or her value to a potential employer." Holmes adds that, on average, 40 percent of Manpower's associates are hired permanently by its clients.
Myth No.2: Using a recruiter costs money. Eight percent of job seekers are under the impression that there will be costs to the candidate to utilize a staffing or recruiting firm, according to the study.
Truth: "When working with a reputable staffing service, you are the employee of the staffing firm, with access to benefits, training and a staff that is invested in your career growth and development," Huber says. The costs associated with most staffing firms are issued to the companies looking for candidates, not the other way around.
Myth No.3: Working with recruiters means landing a less lucrative job.
Truth: Candidates should understand that staffing agents will work to get you the highest salary possible, using their knowledge, experience and relationships to do so, King Shields says. Rogers adds that more than half of the open positions at Think Resources are salaried.
Jobs recruiters are hiring for now
If you're unemployed and need a little help in your job search, here are six (of the many) staffing firms that can help you and 30 jobs they are hiring for now:
Hudson
Types of jobs it staffs for: Hudson is focused on placing accountants, lawyers, IT business analysts, Web developers and sales and marketing managers across multiple industries.
Hot jobs it's recruiting for now::
1. Attorneys
2. Business deposition consultants
3. Technical accounting research consultants
4. Senior certified fraud examiners
5. Simulation/video game software developers
Kelly Services
Types of jobs it staffs for: Kelly staffs temporary, temporary-to-hire and direct-hire positions across all job levels. It places professionals in positions like accountants, administrative assistants, attorneys, civil engineers, forklift drivers, healthcare coding/billing specialists, medical assistants, MRI/CT and X-ray technicians, nurses, paralegals, scientists and Web site developers, to name a few.
Hot jobs it's staffing for now::
6. Chemists
7. Substitute teachers
8. Customer service representatives
9. FBI Academy logistician
10. Intelligence analyst
Manpower
Types of jobs it staffs for: Manpower recruits for office, administrative, customer service, skilled trades, assembly, material handling, technician, engineering, clinical and lab sciences, and accounting and finance positions.
Hot jobs it's recruiting for now:
11. Machinists/machine operators
12. Skilled trades (electricians, welders, plumbers, etc.)
13. Sales representatives
14. Mechanics
15. Production operators
Robert Half International
Types of jobs it staffs for: RHI specializes in the accounting and finance, information technology, administrative services, legal, advertising and marketing fields.
Hot jobs it's staffing for now:
16. Staff and senior accountants
17. Credit and collections specialists
18. Web developers
19. Help desk professionals
20. Data entry specialists
Select Staffing
Types of jobs it staffs for: Select Staffing specializes in accounting and finance; information technology; engineering and science; fashion and design; human resources; administrative and clerical; and customer service fields.
Hot jobs it's recruiting for now:
21. Chief financial officers/controllers
22. Directors of purchasing
23. Footwear designers
24. Senior marketing managers
25. Thermoplastics materials engineers
Think Resources
Types of jobs it staffs for: Think Resources recruits for all disciplines and industries of engineering including but not limited to energy, aerospace, defense, manufacturing, power generation, transmission and distribution. They place engineers, designers, drafters, technicians, field service people and power plant operators.
Hot jobs it's recruiting for now:
26. Electrical engineers
27. Mechanical engineers
28. Civil engineers
29. Procurement and schedulers
30. Boiler designers
Find a Job
Search by Company | Search by Industry
Rachel Zupek is a writer and blogger for CareerBuilder.com. She researches and writes about job search strategy, career management, hiring trends and workplace issues.
Jan 2nd 2009 @ 7:30PM jjulieho
I know i would like to be a chef... in fact, this is the book that made me want to take up this career... it's a hilarious cookbook called "Get in the Kitchen, BIT@HES!" (bitchcooks.com) not for everyone, but if you have a great sense of humor and love food... then I would take a looksie.
Reply
Jan 2nd 2009 @ 7:37PM John Shields
If you have any jobs available please feel free and e-mail me at any time
Reply
Jan 8th 2009 @ 2:06PM madonna
go here and make a wish you really want to see come true
this is really amazing http://www.real-wishes.com
Reply
Jan 8th 2009 @ 2:25PM Esther Harrison
I have been a taper (graphics application) in the Recreational Vehicle industry for the past 23 years but this industry has been hit hard due to gas prices, loan to dealers and purchasers. I decided to go back to school for medical billing/coding and am currently at Indiana Business College in Elkhart, IN. My unemployment funds will be running out after the next few months and I will need to find work till I finish scool in 2010. Any suggestions?
Reply
Jan 8th 2009 @ 2:28PM madonna
make a wish you want to come true-
this is really amazing http://www.real-wishes.com
Reply
Jan 8th 2009 @ 2:47PM rob
I would love to find out what fairy tale these folks have been reading! I'm a licenced Electrician, and the last interview I had I was told the company had 94 applicants for 2 positions! I've seen 3 well established contractors go out of business this year due to either lack of business, or developers going bankrupt, and leaving good companies out in the cold with little or no reimbursement for supplies and wages.
Reply
Jan 8th 2009 @ 3:30PM Jim Roach
I've been retired for 20 years. Before that, for the majority of my career, I spent eleven years at three different High schools in Texas Public Schools as an Inductrial Cooperative Coordinator. My program was called ICT or Industrialm Cooperative Training. These boys and girls (Sr & Jrs) spent an hour each day in my classroom learning the rudiments of the work place . Their classroom periods were cut short so as to go to the place of their part-time employment, learning a "skilled" occupation. These "children" were paid, at least, a minimum salary for ayt least four hours a day (5 day week) and also gained school credit for this training.
Just why all publiuc schools do not offer such a program or enhance their present ones are a mystery to me.
Reply
Jan 8th 2009 @ 3:41PM Steve
I've been in the auto business my whole life, now out of work, try finding a job at 52 with only auto background, no one will train me, or give you a break, with so many people applying for what little jobs are out there, I'm not sure what to do...
Reply
Jan 8th 2009 @ 3:48PM Steve
I've been in the auto business my whole life, try finding a job or another career at 52. No one will train you,or give you a break. They have so many people applying for one position, it's crazy...I look at my son everyday and cry inside, he's only 6 years old, crap, it's heartbreaking.My wife only has a part time job and they just cut her hours back..I'm not sure what to do anymore...pray I guess???
Reply
Jan 8th 2009 @ 3:58PM Heather
Recruiting companies can help assess your qualifications and, if you are currently in an industry that is struggling such as construction, they can help you look at alternatives. Retraining, particlarly the kind that will give you skills that can be used in more than one industry, is a great way to go. Skilled sales professionals are always in demand. Sales jobs are available in every industry and the best ones are not aggressive or "salesy". My company works in the education sector. Among our many services, one is to help promote and provide quality training for advisors at colleges and universities. In addition, we are now launching online training for job seekers to help them learn the skills needed to be successful in an educational sales environment. For information, please visit our website at http://www.howopportunityworks.com. If you have specific questions, please complete the Request for information form on our site.
Reply
Jan 8th 2009 @ 4:10PM joel
there is no blue collar work, its all white collar! how much longer can white collar survive without blue collar! these people need to smell the coffee and wake up! i am reading a book called squandering of america. great book. it is talking about everything going on now in this country and tells you why! funny thing is this book was written two years ago and is talking about present day financial markets, job loses, home foreclosures and the economy. surely the well educated economist and politicians and bankers saw this coming?????
Reply
Jan 8th 2009 @ 4:13PM Heather
Hello Esther,
Indiana Business College has career placement services. Although you are not yet ready to graduate, have you spoken with your counselor about getting help from them?
Reply
Jan 8th 2009 @ 4:19PM Daphne
I don't know what fairy tale these people have been reading either but for different reasons. I have worked with several recruiting agencies and do not have a very high opinion of them. They did not cost me anything but a lot of times I felt like I wasted my time. Every time you contact an agency, they want you to come in and meet with them only to have you repeat what is already on your resume. With Robert Half, it took while to find a contact and the one that I found was far from where I lived. I di not hear from the rep about many jobs. Then I found a contact with Robert Half closer to where I lived but was never contacted with any job prospects. I met with them at least 3 or 4 times because they have so many different departments (One for people who only want to temp full time and not look for another job, one for people with only a few years of experience, and one for people with 10+ years of experience). Then, with Robert Half, I had to fill out paperwork more than once. I was told that if you have not been active with them, you need to update your paperwork after 6 months. I spent a lot of time with them with no results. At another agency I spent time meeting with, the rep told me he would take certain steps to get my job search started and told me to follow up with him within a couple of weeks if I did not hear from him. He did not complete the tasks he promised and when I called him to follow up, he did not return my calls. I did not hear from him until about 8 months later with no explanation as to why I had not heard from him in so long. Most of the time I spent time meeting with people and discussing my resume and then did not hear from them with any job prospects. I have met or talked with many recruiters. Out of all of them, I can only think of 3 that I thought did a good job and one of them was out of state. Kelly did a good job but I was with them for over a year and only recieved two temp assignments and no full time interview opportunities. Recruiters try to sell that they can find candidates that the companies cannot but you see them putting postings on job boards all the time and companies can do this themselves. One more thing, when recruiters contact you they keep calling you and act like it is urgent and want you to call back right away. Some call my cell phone even though I tell them I do not use my cell phone regularly. Then when you call them for something they are not as quick to respond. The agencies that do contact you seem to do so for a period of time (maybe a year) and then it seems to drop off as if they forgot about you. If anyone has had good experiences with recruiter let me know and at what company.
Reply
Jan 8th 2009 @ 4:34PM aaron
This article is written by marketers of employment agencies. They are in business to make money, and regularilty take more than thier share for linking a company to a potential candidate. They continue to siphone from the employee and company while not necessarily bringing the best man for the job to business in need. There needs to be some form of government regulation reguarding these employment agencies that have no knowledge of ethics, and in most cases knowledge of the industry for which they are hiring for.
Reply
Jan 8th 2009 @ 4:51PM Wild Bill
Most recruiters are working on commission so need to "turn & burn". If you are not an easy placement you have no value to them. They talk like they want to help, but if you don't fit quickly, kiss them goodbye.
Reply
Jan 8th 2009 @ 5:02PM country
Agreed! I'm in the HVAC business and in the last 2 years have watched numerous companies lay off, and/or go out of business.
Reply
Jan 8th 2009 @ 5:35PM Bob
I have worked as a manager for a car wash for 32 years started in High school I got laid off in july I made 55k a year and I can't find a job if my life depended on it its so sad you go to work on time work hard and still get left out in the cold now they say its gonna get worse I would leave the country but I can't even sell my house
Reply
Jan 8th 2009 @ 6:15PM Rc
There are no telecom jobs. I have 36 years experience..I have been out of work off and on over 18 months. I have been through Truck driving school twice and have current CDL A and DOT physical but if you haven't driven a truck in the past 2 years they are useless! Its so ridiculous..if you don't drive for 2 years you are required to take a 180 hr driver course..if you don't fly an airplane for 2 years the FAA says make 5 take-offs and 5 landings to a full stop and you are back in the pilot's seat (plus a biennial flight review) the gov't always has to get their fingers in your pocket!
Reply
Jan 8th 2009 @ 6:21PM ACE
IF ANYBODY HAS ANY JOBS FOR TENNAGERS PLEASE EMAIL ME AT ACEJOKER123@YAHOO.COM ... I HELP THESE GUYS DO BETTER IN SCHOOL , STAY OF THE STREETS IF THATS WHAT THEY ARE DOING, AND NOW JUST WANT THESE GUYS TO DO SOMETHING USEFUL... EITHER FOR THEIR FAMILY OR FOR THEMSELVES...THESE GUYS WILL WORK ANY JOB FOR MONEY ... THEY ARE RELIABLE , TRUST ME I WOULD KNOW , AND THEY HAVE LIECENCES IF SOMEBODY NEEDS DELIVERIES OR TRANSPORTATION.... THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH...
Reply
Jan 8th 2009 @ 6:25PM Ralph Vitello
I have 25+ diversified years of experience in all aspects of construction as a Sr. field Superintendent.
I beleive I would be an excellent fraud, forensic and safety examiner/consultant
I have testified in numerous cases involving injury, QA/QC and delay claims.
Reply