Staffing agencies—also called employment agencies, temp agencies, or recruitment firms—can be valuable allies in your job search. But many job seekers don't understand how they work or how to maximize the relationship.
How Staffing Agencies Work
Staffing agencies are hired by companies to find candidates. They're paid by employers—never by job seekers. (If an "agency" asks you for money, it's a scam.)
Payment models vary:
- Contingency: Agency only gets paid if they successfully place you
- Retained: Agency is paid upfront to conduct a search (usually executive roles)
- Contract/temp: Agency employs you and bills the client hourly
Types of Roles They Fill
- Temporary: Short-term assignments (days to months)
- Temp-to-perm: Trial period with potential full-time conversion
- Direct hire: Permanent positions, agency is paid placement fee
- Contract: Longer-term project work
Benefits of Using Agencies
- Access to hidden jobs: Many companies hire exclusively through agencies
- Speed: Agencies are motivated to place you quickly
- Foot in the door: Temp/contract roles can lead to full-time offers
- Salary negotiation: They negotiate on your behalf (higher salary = higher fee)
- Market insights: They know who's hiring and at what rates
How to Work with Agencies Effectively
1. Choose the Right Agencies
Look for agencies that specialize in your industry or role type. A generalist agency may not have the connections in your specific field.
2. Be Honest and Specific
Tell them exactly what you want: role type, salary expectations, location preferences, deal-breakers. The more specific you are, the better they can match you.
3. Treat Them Like Partners
Your recruiter's success depends on your success. Be responsive, professional, and communicative. If they send you a job, respond quickly.
4. Don't Be Exclusive (Usually)
You can work with multiple agencies. Just be clear about where you've already been submitted to avoid duplicate submissions.
5. Ask the Right Questions
- "What company is this for?" (They should tell you before submitting your resume)
- "What's the salary range?"
- "Is this temp, contract, or permanent?"
- "What's the interview process?"
Red Flags
- They ask you to pay for anything
- They submit your resume without your permission
- They're vague about the role or company
- They pressure you to accept offers you're not comfortable with
- They can't answer basic questions about the position
Should You Use an Agency?
Agencies work best when:
- You're open to contract or temp work
- You want to get your foot in the door at target companies
- You're in a field where agencies are common (admin, IT, healthcare, finance)
- You want help with the job search process
They're less useful if:
- You're targeting very specific companies (go direct)
- You're at executive level (work with retained search firms instead)
- You're in a field where agencies aren't common
The Hybrid Approach
Smart job seekers don't rely on agencies alone. Use them as one channel while also applying directly, networking, and reaching out to recruiters on your own.
More channels = more opportunities.