Debunking the staffing company myths

Debunking the staffing company myths


01.25.2013

Debunking the staffing company myths


It's crucial to use whatever tools you can to help out your job search, whether it's social media to expand your network, online job listings to regularly search for open positions or informational meetings that help you figure out exactly what kind of job you want.

However, one of the most overlooked resources is also one of the most helpful - staffing companies.

According to Business2Community, staffing companies have become instrumental in helping job hunters find a position, as well as giving candidates a potential direction to go in when it comes to the right field or industry. Unfortunately, as demand for temporary work grew during the recession, so too did the number and scale of myths surrounding employment agencies.

One of the most misunderstood aspects of a staffing agency is the kinds of jobs these companies can help you get. While everyone knows these firms are great for entry-level positions, many believe they can't help you move your career further.

This, however, is just plain wrong.

Staffing companies work directly with employers that need all levels of experience, and can help candidates find jobs after years in a particular field. The healthcare, accounting and finance or IT sectors all have huge room for growth, and staffing firms often specialize in placing higher-level jobs in these industries.

Another misconception is that even if you do find a job, a slice of your salary will go to the search firm. Most of the time, a staffing firm will work directly with a business who needs a certain kind of worker, and if the recruiter succeeds in finding that ideal candidate, they are paid by the company that hired you - not you yourself.

If you're worried that even a staffing company doesn't have the power to find an open job amid unemployment that is just under 8 percent, think again. Yes, the unemployment rate isn't ideal, but there are still some 3.7 million jobs out there. Some of them may require a highly specific skill set, but employment agencies typically work with these companies to learn what is most in-demand, the media outlet stated.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, about 7,800 temporary jobs were added in November 2012, and this number remained virtually the same in December 2012. Across the professional and business services sector as a whole, 19,000 jobs were added in December, following 32,000 new jobs in November.