Using Employment Agencies
In addition to the employer profiles and featured jobs listed in the Members Section of this website, you may also want to explore other avenues to finding job opportunities. Some seasonal employers need to fill so many positions that they will utilize agencies to find more candidates – this would include state job centers.
Generally speaking, employment agency fees are paid by employers, so employers’ needs and concerns often take precedence over yours. Your success with these agencies often depends more on the counselor or head hunter you work with than on the agency itself. The relationship you build with this counselor and your persistence in communicating your employment goals and your search status will benefit your placement. If you don’t like a given counselor, work with someone else or try a different agency.
There are a few important rules to observe when dealing with an agency. When speaking with your counselor, try to avoid responding to inquiries about your salary history, but do communicate your present financial needs. Also, be cautious about signing contracts or paying for services. Make sure that you take the time to understand how their services benefit you. Ask questions and read all documents and contracts carefully. Keep in mind most employers are able to attract entry-level candidates on their own and only turn to agencies when seeking candidates with several years of experience. Also, agencies rarely seek candidates when no immediate openings exist. Finally, employment agencies rarely offer the name of the company that’s hiring, but they will provide the company size, industry, location, and other general information. Using employment agencies is one way to generate leads, but it’s usually not the best way, so do not neglect your other efforts. A multi-dimensional job search strategy is often the key to quick results.
