If you’re hunting for a new job, you might be tired of pounding the pavements with your resume, ringing every available employer to see whether there are any vacancies, or using social media to tirelessly monitor what’s happening in your chosen industry, just in case there’s an opening. There’s no denying that hunting for a new job can be stressful at the best of times! Yet there is an easier way to find a new job; hire the experts to help you search! By using the services of a professional staffing agency, you can ensure that you’re the first to know about any vacancies in your industry, and you also know that the agency will represent you in the best possible light, so your chances of bagging that dream job just increased, Here are 5 reasons you need a recruitment agency the next time you’re looking for a new job.
Expert knowledge
You know those recruitment consultants? They’ve got years of experience in their niche area – so whether you’re looking for a job in computing or microbiology, they know the major companies, the best employers and the way to get your foot in the door. They’ll even be able to help you tailor your application so you have the best possible chances of getting an interview for that role you’re after, so don’t think that there’s nothing they can do for you just because you’ve had a few knockbacks.
Someone to Talk to
Sometimes, you need to chat about your job prospects with someone other than your Mom. You need a friendly professional with experience in the industry you want to break into to look at your resume and give it to you straight. In Alberta, jobs like the one you’re after are probably going to attract a lot of applicants, so having some advice and assistance with your resume isn’t going to hurt your future career prospects one bit! If you’re not quite sure what sort of job you’re looking for, for example, if you’re returning to work after starting a family or even if you’re just considering a change of career, then signing up with a staffing agency could be one of the best things you will ever do – you’ll receive helpful advice that will set you on the path to a brand new career!
The Right Contacts
A staffing agency can have contacts in the industry that you want to work in, whether that’s law, finance or aerospace engineering. They know who’s who and where to send your application so that it gets seen by the right people. They often have close working relationships with the CEO’s of larger corporations, so they can call and recommend you in person before they send your resume over – this is a great way to get your foot in the door for an entry-level role or take a step up the career ladder. Whilst you could work hard to cultivate your own contacts using social media and business networking events, using the services of a recruitment agency is quicker and easier, not to mention it will leave you more time to focus on making sure your resume is perfect. Of course, if you have your own network of contacts already, using a website such as Wrangle.ca where you can refer friends for jobs and earn money is a great idea!
Let the Jobs Come to You
Whilst it’s a good idea to keep your eyes open for any vacancies, even after you’ve registered with a recruitment agency, you probably shouldn’t apply for any without speaking to the agency first; this is to avoid potentially doubling up applications, which looks unprofessional. When you use a recruitment agency, the opportunities come to you, and you can decide which roles you’d like to be put forward for.
Fill the Gap
If you’re out of work you might be considering temporary employment, to fill the gap until you find a permanent job. A staffing agency is always on the lookout for temp staff, often at very short notice, and the more flexible you can be with your time and the type of role you’re willing to take on, the more likely you are to get hired. Whether or not you’ll be lucky enough to score a temp role in your chosen industry is anyone’s guess, but if you do, you could even be kept on as permanent staff if you do a good job of impressing the boss! Of course, there are no guarantees that your temp role will turn into a permanent opportunity, but work hard and it could happen!
About the Author
Ben Grant writes for various sites and publications, and became a journalist 5 years ago after a long and successful career as a recruitment consultant. He knows just how beneficial recruitment agencies can be when searching for your next role and would recommend them to anyone serious about moving up the career ladder in 2014!