Securing the Talents of America's Veterans

Putting staffing agencies to work for you

Staffing agencies provide a simple service – connecting employers and employees. Many agencies have distinct areas of specialization (Information Technology, Accounting and Finance, etc.), so when selecting a staffing company, investigate their Web sites to determine which providers are best able to serve your needs.

Many hiring companies take advantage of a particular agency exclusively. Having your resume on file at several agencies provides access to jobs not listed elsewhere. It also increases your chances of finding a match. Along with practice specialization, most agencies offer a variety of employment options to job seekers, including:

Contingent placement: providing temporary or contract employment
Contingent-to-hire: contract assignments that may convert to direct-hire jobs
Direct-hire placement: recruiting candidates for full-time opportunities
Professional search: connecting hard-to-find talent with niche industry positions

For contingent positions, the candidate is employed by the agency itself, assigned to work at the client company. In most cases, employees receive benefits that match or exceed the industry standard. For professional search and direct-hire placements, agencies recruit a candidate on behalf of their client, and the employee immediately begins working for the client company. The American Staffing Association offers additional definitions of staffing services to assist you.

Tips for working with a staffing agency
Tips for working with a staffing agency. Download the PDF.

When working with a staffing agency, there is NEVER A FEE to the candidate. The agency’s fees are paid by the hiring company
If applying to a position listed on an agency website, make sure to specify the position, and if available, the location, job/position number, and contact name for that posting.
A word version of your resume is preferred (unless otherwise specified) with your updated email address and contact information included.
The same guidelines apply to supplying resumes, cover letters, and interviewing. The recruiter is working as an agent for the hiring company, as well as representing you to those companies. Make the same effort to impress them as you would to impress any potential employer.
If you have resumes on file with several staffing agencies, make sure you keep them all current, including certifications, additional education, or new work experiences. The more skills you have on file, the better your chances of matching the criteria for an open position.

Advantages to working with a staffing agency

There are many reasons why working with a staffing company might be perfect for you.

Agencies know where the jobs are: Businesses of every size, in every industry, rely on staffing agencies for qualified, reliable talent
Flexibility for your life: Many employees enjoy the flexibility of short-term opportunities available through staffing agencies, completing one assignment and moving on to another, often with different employers.
A portal to permanent employment: About three quarters of contingent employees move onto permanent jobs. Temporary assignments enable you to get your foot in the door with a hiring company, increasing your odds of finding a permanent position with the company.
Broad Selection: Staffing agencies can expose you to a variety of companies, jobs and opportunities.
Free Training: Many staffing firms offer employees an array of free training -- from common office software tutorials to information technology products and programs. Staffing agencies can play a vital role in an effective job-search strategy, providing skilled candidates with a variety of opportunities with respected companies locally and worldwide. Find one that serves your industry, and they just may find a job for you.

To learn more about the staffing industry, visit the American Staffing Association’s job seekers page.