How to Get the Most Out of Your Staffing Agency Experience

 “They weren’t able to get me a job!”

I hear this quite frequently about the various staffing agencies in the area and elsewhere, including about Quantum. There can be many reasons for this--some the job seeker can control and some the job seeker cannot. Let’s focus on those the job seeker can control by starting out with one of the most common misconceptions regarding staffing agencies.

I am asked quite frequently, “oh, you look for jobs for people?” Well, yes, in a roundabout way, but not exactly. Staffing agencies are for profit businesses. Staffing agencies build things; they package things; they design things; they manage things; and they answer phones, type minutes, and create reports. Staffing agencies are just like any other company with payrolls, taxes, employees, management structures, and so on. The difference is that the staffing agency does these things at other worksites rather than their own. The staffing agency’s employees build their widgets in someone else’s building. So, staffing agencies do not exist, typically, to “look for jobs for people.” The staffing agency’s business—its sole business—is to search for and hire the best available talent to make, produce, create, and distribute what it contracts with its client companies to do. When you register with a staffing agency, you are applying to work for that staffing agency.

So how does one increase the chance that a staffing agency will employ him or her? It begins with the same principles and ideas that one might use with any other employer.

Do some research to discover with which agencies you should apply.

By my last count, there are ten agencies in the Williamsport area. All are staffed by good people who do a good job at what they do, but most excel in slightly different areas. Some may be better at factory work or some at office work. Some may be able to provide direct hire offerings. Some may be better at certain niches like engineering or IT or Human Resources or sales. Many of us “do it all,” but have particular strengths, so watch the newspaper or the job boards or the individual websites of the local agencies. If an agency has a track record of having many administrative postings and you’re looking to be a clerk-typist, then that may be where you want to start.  This will require having some idea what you would like to do—“anything” is rarely a good answer when asked. It is also perfectly acceptable to ask your staffing agent. A good staffing agent will see no problem in referring you to another agency that is strong in what you're looking for.

Make sure you read all paperwork given you when you register and learn the rules.

This is extremely important. I have many applicants that look for the “sign here” lines on my application and skip over reading the very information that will help them. The registration paperwork is there for a reason. The purpose from the agency’s perspective—just like any company--is to judge whether you’re qualified and eligible. The purpose from the job seeker’s perspective is to sell him or herself and to read the policies to understand what is expected and how best to become--and stay--employed. So, take your time and use this to your advantage.

Listen attentively in the orientation and ask questions.

This is the time when your staffing agent will reinforce or explain much of what was likely in the application, handbook or the rules you are receiving. This is not the time to play with your cell phone, yawn, nap, or count ceiling tiles. Use the opportunity to understand how your individual agency works and what is important to them. Make sure to ask questions if anything is unclear or uncovered or if you have concerns

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Follow the rules

Each agency has its own set of rules and priorities, but some are fairly common. Most common is to keep in contact with the agency to establish and maintain availability.   Some agencies will ask you to call on specific days so make sure to follow this. Many times, the very people who state that we haven’t “found them a job” are those that have not contacted us in weeks or months. How am I—or any agency—to know you are available to work for me unless you tell me so? With literally thousands of people registered, make sure you don’t become a name and a number in a computer database. Stay in contact.

Remember to follow these steps and your staffing agency experience will not only be enjoyable, it will be rewarding.

Ted Taylor, SPHR, CSP

Managing Partner, Quantum Strategic Personnel Solutions

Feel free to ask a question or apply at our website