A Temp Agency? Really? Yup.

While speaking with a recent college grad, she was telling me about the need for her to find reliable work during graduate school.  She said, “I definitely don’t want to work at the department store again for the summer.  That was awful and the hours were worse.”  Meaning no offense to the retail industry, but that was not what this young lady wanted.

Of course, I asked if she had a resume yet and offered to look it over.  Then I said, go to the temp offices.  The what?  Yes, the temporary offices.  The temporary offices are not just for the typing pool anymore.  There are agencies out there for all disciplines.  This is the one time in this age of technology where I strongly recommend pulling out the phone book itself.  Look up “Employment” in the yellow pages and the listing is absolutely astonishing!  Pick up the phone and start calling.  If they ask you to submit through their website, go ahead, but then follow up and make sure you get to speak with a recruiter.  Note: you may/will have to go through several.  Whatever you do, be honest about your search and let them know what you’re doing.  Some will be much better than others.  Only by calling can you really know. 

There are two times in the economy when agencies like this provide a crucial service to small and large businesses alike.  The first is when there are more jobs and applicants and the other is when there are more applicants than positions to be filled.  In both instances, HR and Hiring Managers are swamped with the amount of work involved.  Using agencies allows them to outsource and save time plus great expense.  When these companies are used, the hiring company can either short term projects done or can use the company to find personnel in a trial period.  This allows everyone to know if the company and employee are a good fit for each other.  Then a contract can be extended or not, an offer can be made, or a contract may be terminated by either party at any time.  The company also doesn’t have to carry workman’s comp insurance on the employee, pay employment taxes or offer benefits until things are secure. 

Word of Warning: NEVER pay for a job.  I mean never.  Employment agencies should be charging the client company for their services, not the employee.  In situations where the employee is asked to give up a percentage of their income, run-don’t walk-to the next place.  There are things worth paying for which are services specifically for the employee to find work.  Hiring a resume writer or buying a book on resume.  Job or image coaching.  There are times to invest, but not at the employment agency.