What's the first thing that pops into your head when you think about a staffing agency? Be honest. Many people probably picture a pushy recruiter who only cares about filling undesirable temporary positions. This may be the case in a small number of situations, but overall that stereotype couldn’t be farther from the truth.
In fact, today's top staffing agencies hire millions of workers each year in a myriad of permanent and temporary roles within many industries. Thousands of organizations in the United States — from small businesses to some of the largest Fortune 500 companies — utilize staffing agencies to fill their open positions.
Before you immediately dismiss the idea of enlisting a staffing agency to help you in your job search, check out these five common myths and facts from Inavero's Best of Staffing guide that you should know.
1. i will be charged money to work with a staffing agency
fact:
Many people wonder if working with a staffing or employment agency is free — and if so, how those companies get paid. Rest assured, it is absolutely free for you to work with a staffing agency.
Staffing firms are hired — and paid — by companies that need help filling open positions. So from the moment you submit your application to the time you are hired, you won't owe the staffing agency a penny. It's that simple. That's how staffing agencies work.
Randstad, like a lot of staffing agencies, also offers great career resources to job seekers at no cost. Check out some of our pro tips.
2. staffing agencies don't care about my satisfaction or personal growth
fact:
This may be true at some staffing agencies, so you want to be sure you work with a company that helps you develop the job skills necessary to advance your career and attain your work-related goals. If you don't feel supported, then you are working with the wrong staffing agency.
Remember, your success is the staffing organization's success. If you are happy, you are more likely to work with that staffing agency in the future.
3. staffing agencies don't have positions i would be interested in
fact:
A good staffing agency should be able to find a position for almost every type of job seeker. Many agencies are able to place employees in temporary or full-time jobs in a variety of industries.
Companies may also use staffing firms to help fill positions that aren't posted on all job boards and also rely on agencies to provide them with the best potential employees for these jobs. In fact, the 2016 Randstad Workplace Trends Survey found that half (51%) of companies list staffing or recruiting organizations as the most effective method of finding new talent.
4. staffing agencies can't find me a permanent job
fact:
Not all positions filled by staffing agencies are temporary. Some firms also hire for permanent and full-time positions. If you are only offered a "temp" assignment, there is a chance it could turn into a full-time job. An estimated 90 percent of companies today use staffing partners, and many people placed through staffing agencies eventually receive offers for permanent roles.
Even if a position doesn't directly lead to a long-term opportunity, the experience and training you'll receive will benefit you during your next job search. In fact, according to the American Staffing Association, nine out of 10 staffing employees say staffing work made them more employable.
5. if i use a staffing agency, i don't need to use other resources
fact:
Staffing agencies are a good place to start, but there are always additional steps you can take to find a job. For instance, you wouldn't want to apply to just one position during your job search. You could get lucky and land that job, but you increase your chances by submitting resumes to multiple openings.
You will still have access to job tips and employment advice even if you don't find your job through a staffing firm. Therefore, it's always good to stay connected with a trusted recruiter as you grow your career.
the bottom line
If you decide to work with a staffing agency, you want to pick a company that is highly regarded by both job seekers and the organizations where those candidates get placed — and there's no better partner than Randstad in that respect. Join us or start searching for jobs today!