Staffing agency or apply to companies directly? Why?

Question

Been layed off. Not sure which is wise. To let an agency place me for full time work temp to hire, or continue to apply directly to companies in hopes to get a direct hire.

Please explain how staffing agency works.

Thanks!

Answer 1

I tried two staffing agencies and they did not work for me.

What happens is that you become THEIR employee. You act like their representative and they are the ones, who pay you.
They can punish you if they want to. For example, if you walk off you job, they will lower your pay to a legal minimum wage.
Some of the assignments that you will get are really not worth it. They let you know a day in advance that you have to go God knows where for only 10$ per hour. When they called me, their assignments were from two days to four weeks.
For me it was not worth it. I prefer to work for one company, not drive from place to place. I want to have benefits and opportunities to grow.
Staffing agencies are great if you need job right away. If you can wait a little bit, I would make it your full-time job to find a good direct hire job with all the benefits.

Good luck and God bless

Answer 2

There are a couple of different types of staffing agencies: there are the kind that specifically handle permanent placements (you tell them you're looking for a new, full-time position and that's what they look for for you), and there are the kind that primarily handle temporary employment (a company needs extra help for a short-term due to increased workload or staff shortage). In either case you would go in and meet with them, possible take come tests (typing, computer skills, drug test, etc - depends on the agency) and they would match your skills and desires with companies that have contracted with them to fill their needs.

Make sure that there are no fees to you as the potential employee. While a good, reputable firm will charge the COMPANY and not the employee, there are those out there that will try to charge you, too. Also, if you go with a temporary agency remember that not every position can or will turn into a permanent position -- some are just temporary.

Good luck with the hunt!

Answer 3

Do both. Apply at companies you feel you really want to work at and let a staffing agency place you for whatever they have immediately so that you at least have some income while you are waiting to hear back on your applications.

Depending on where you are, a staffing agency may be able to place you into something as soon as tomorrow. Most staffing agencies do not specialize in placing folks with well developed professional skills. Most of the staffing agency positions are entry level requiring only limited skills. However, it's not a bad idea to take whatever they can give you and work really hard to prove yourself. I've gotten some really cool jobs by starting as a temp in a crappy position.

You shouldn't count on the staffing agency putting you into a position that you will love and want to retire at. But, the advantage is that it will give you something to do while you wait to hear back on the position you really want. Might as well be earning, right?

Also, you have an opportunity to network with folks you might not have ever met had you not signed up with a staffing agency. The downside is that most positions through agencies are VERY entry level and most likely below your skill set. You'll burn out quickly and the job will probably bore you to tears. Like I said, though, it might present another opportunity. You never know when you start if they have other positions available and have a tendency to hire from within. You might end up with a really cool job.

Essentially agencies are hired by companies that do not want to rely on their own human resources department to source all of their openings. They are generally companies with really high turnover rates. Almost always industrial in one form or another. They hire the agency to provide them with pre-screened job candidates that meet a certain criteria. Some testing may be involved.

The agency then accepts applications from people who just want to work and don't really care where. They test you accordingly. If you're applying for industrial - you generally have a fork lift questionnaire, if it's for construction - a construction based test, if it's for an office or clerical - you may have to take typing and software tests. Nearly always there will be a drug test.

Once they screen you, they try to place you with a company where you will be happy. The happier you are in a job the harder you'll work and that will make the agency look good. They get credit for sending qualified applicants. Their goal is generally to have you placed permanently. While you are working, whatever you are making - the agency is getting paid nearly twice that. Don't expect to get paid what the agency is being paid if you are offered a permanent position. It just doesn't happen. Once hired permanent there are other costs associated with your employment that your employer has to pay. Benefits, unemployment insurance, things like that make up the difference. The agency gets paid a premium because they are essentially responsible for supplying all of that to you - if it's even available.

Staffmark, Snelling, Adecco - these are some really good temp agencies to get in with. I think Snelling and Adecco may be nation-wide companies.

Good luck.

Answer 4

The staffing agency does most of the HR work for the company. They interview and place candidates, often in jobs that aren't even advertised. They usually work closely with a limited number of companies, know what kind of person will do well at the company, and are paid by the company for their placements.

I would recommend doing both - send out your own resumes, but also sign up with temp to perm placement agencies. They will want to know what companies you have already applied to or interviewed with, and won't send you to those places. Some companies won't work with the agencies because of the fees involved.