If you’ve never worked with a staffing or recruiting agency before, it’s easy to get overwhelmed by the variety of services and work placements, as well as the jargon many recruiters and agencies use. Although you don’t need to be an expert, there are a few things you should know to help differentiate between agencies and find someone who will serve your individual needs. Since the landscape is large and varied, it’s important to understand how companies specialize to focus your search.
What to know:
Staffing agencies often center on specific industries (healthcare, tech, construction, and many more). It’s important to pay attention to this if you are in a highly specialized field. For example, if you are a certified healthcare worker, (nurses, doctors, etc) your agency will likely need to provide unique insurance and dynamic scheduling options. If they are new to a given industry, make sure you feel comfortable with the recruiter and the agency’s reputation. Also keep in mind that different agencies have different customers, so developing relationships with more than one agency can help you find your next position even faster.
What to ask:
- What industries does the agency typically recruit for?
- What companies have they worked with in [industry x]?
- Have they worked with other candidates of my skill set / profession?
*This content was originally written as a guest post on Mac’s list, available here.