10 Simple Tips When Looking for Agencies for Employment

Author: Nick T.

Let’s go ahead and get this out of the way; looking for a job is one of the most frustrating experiences that a person can go through. Ironically, it is a full-time job just trying to find employment! There are so many questions you may have while going through the process. Should I go through a recruiter? Do my connections know of any open positions? Which job boards should I be on? How long will I have to do this? With such a large pool of employment agencies to choose from, here are ten simple tips to help you find the best job agencies near you!

  1. Identify industry - The first step is to identify the industry that your preferred position is in. Sometimes, one job can have applications across different career fields, so you need to have an idea of what kind of work you want to do.
  2. Search your area - Try typing into Google, "job placement agencies near me." Many employment companies span over different cities and states, so it is worth looking to see which ones are located in your area. If you want to work locally, you should be working with an agency that staffs in your preferred area.
  3. Google - Do not underestimate the value of a Google search! It can be a great place to start looking for agencies and learning about the kind of work they do. You also can see the different companies that work with job placement agencies to identify if any of them interest you.
  4. Read the reviews - After you do some research about the companies, take a look at any reviews that employees or clients may have posted. These can be very helpful in learning about the company culture but take everything with a grain of salt. People are more likely to leave a review about a negative experience rather than a positive one.
  5. Contact your network - Another great source of information about employment agencies is your network of connections. This includes former coworkers, bosses, or acquaintances; essentially, anyone who is willing to pass along your resume and can be a reference for your work. These people may have worked with employment agencies in the past or know people who did, and they can give you even more information about what it is like to work with different companies.
  6. Visit job fairs - If you are nervous about choosing an agency based on internet results, a job fair may be the best place for you. Often, employment agencies will send representatives to scout for potential candidates. This gives them, and you, the opportunity to speak face-to-face. A job fair also will attract a few different agencies so you can directly compare them.
  7. Check social media - In today’s world, every business has a social media account. They will post updates about new products, milestones, and any news regarding the company. Follow some of the agencies’ pages and watch for updates. There may be posts about opportunities for employment. The agencies will know about an open position long before the job boards do.
  8. Update LinkedIn - Another great way to attract headhunters and find a job placement agency is to update your LinkedIn profile and show you are interested in finding employment. Recruiters use this type of website because they can see your connections, learn about your job experience, and check your references.
  9. Send out your resume - When was the last time you updated your resume? The correct answer should be 5 minutes ago because one way to find employment agencies are to send out your resume to any company, website, or contact. If your resume is out there available to the public, you have a better chance of catching the eye of recruiters and making contacts with job placement agencies.
  10. Look back at alumni connections - Most of us graduate from college and leave it as far behind as we possibly can. If you are trying to find the best job placement agency, check in with your alma mater’s alumni network. They often have a directory of graduates and the various places they work; you may find that your old lab partner is a successful headhunter or there is a group of graduates that meet and help each other in your city.

Good luck with the hunt!