Tip of  the Week

How to Choose an Employment Service

Despite the economic recovery, finding employment can still be difficult and many people waste a lot of time looking in the wrong places.

An employment service is one of the best resources for landing a good job. Employment services connect people with jobs. They exist for one reason: to help jobseekers find work.

Whether you need a seasonal gig or are trying to land an executive position, consider working with an employment service.

Here are some tips to help you find the right employment service for your needs:

Types

There are several types of employment services. Working with the right agency will increase your chances of finding work that fits your qualifications.

Private placement services are the most popular type of agency. They bring job seekers to employers who are looking to hire for a specific position. These jobs typically lead to full-time work.

Temporary help services put qualified people into company positions for short terms. You may be covering for someone on maternity leave, for example. Retailers who need seasonal help often use these agencies.

The retained search firm finds highly qualified candidates for executive positions. Sometimes these employment services are also referred to as executive head hunters.

Most employment agencies are known for specializing in one or two vocations. Make sure that your skills and interests fall within this realm so the service will be useful to you.

Research

Look for a service that will help you assess your strengths and build on your weaknesses. Employment agencies often test candidates before sending them out on interviews. The results of these tests will inform you about your skill level.

Some agencies will help you create a professional resume. They will critique your personal resume and tell you which format is the best for the market.

In addition, some services will offer classes to improve your interview skills. These classes may be held in person or online.

Choose an employment service that has a high success rate. They should be able to provide references of people and companies they’ve helped in the past. Agencies should also show you how they are actively searching for jobs that meet your skill set and interests.

Contact

Look on the service’s website to find out more about their process. Sometimes, agencies don’t include much information, so feel free to call them. Ask about their application procedure and what services they provide. You should also know who pays when someone is hired. Some services are paid by the future employer. Others are paid by the employee. Understand how the employment service will be paid before you use them.

Interview

If the company doesn’t offer, ask to make an appointment for an in-person interview. Prepare a list of questions to ask about their services. You may also have an opportunity to sign up for classes and resume services.

Find a Job

The last step is finding a great job. Be prepared when the agency calls you to go to an interview at a company. Finding a legitimate employment service should not be too difficult, provided you follow their advice.

Jobs are not easy to find these days, but an employment service will offer expert assistance to help you. Do your research before you agree to work with an agency. Remember that finding a job is a job in itself! Your future success depends on you starting today.