How To Get a Job Through a Staffing Agency

People chatting at a staffing agency
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Andrew Olney / Getty Images

Staffing agencies—also known as employment agencies or staffing companies—hire everyone from entry-level workers to CEOs. Job seekers can take advantage of staffing agencies to find a wide variety of jobs, including permanent ones and remote roles, in a number of industries. 

Some job seekers are hesitant to use a staffing agency because they think these agencies only provide entry-level, temporary jobs. Others think that agencies never provide benefits to workers or you have to pay to get hired. However, that's not the case. A staffing agency can help you find a part-time job, a temporary gig, or full-time employment, and the employer generally pays the fees.

Learn what a staffing agency is and how to use one to find the right job for you.

Key Takeaways

  • Staffing agencies are a meaningful resource for anyone who is seeking a job, at any career level. 
  • There are a lot of benefits to working with a staffing agency, including getting access to recruiters' insights into roles and interview tips. 
  • Be professional when you work with a staffing agency, along with being candid about your career history, aspirations, and availability. 

How a Staffing Agency Works

In a nutshell, companies pay staffing agencies to find employees. 

From the company's perspective, this can be very advantageous for several reasons. First off: Finding good employees can be a challenging and time-consuming task. 

Plus, staffing agencies can make it easy for companies to add staff during busy seasons with temp employees. They can also be a way for companies to outsource the paperwork and financial business of employing someone, from recruitment through taxes.

Here's how it works if you're a job seeker. You can apply for a specific job through the staffing agency. Or, you can contact the staffing agency to look for a job. Once you apply, the agency will interview you. Then, if you're a good fit for a role, the agency will place you in it.

Note

You may find that you need to interview with both the staffing agency and the company with the open position. 

If you're placed in a job through a staffing agency, they'll typically pay you—not the company where you're filling the role. But, if you're hired on permanently by a company, then you'll be paid by the company, not the staffing agency.

Many staffing agencies hire people for short-term, temporary roles. Think of an accounting firm, which might need tax professionals during tax season. Or retail stores, which staff up for the holiday season. But staffing agencies also fill temp-to-perm roles. And, sometimes staffing agencies recruit and place candidates for full-time roles. 

Benefits of Using a Staffing Agency 

Some of the reasons you may want to opt to use a staffing agency are: 

It’s Free

Because the company (rather than the job seeker) is the client, you don’t have to pay to be considered for jobs at an agency.

They Do the Job Searching for You

When you sign up to work with a staffing agency, they ask you about your skills and experience and let you know if they have a job that might be a good fit for you. You can also search for jobs on their internal job site. Often, they know of job openings that aren’t available on other job sites. It is a great way to get help finding job openings.

There Is Variety

You can find staffing agencies that specialize in almost any industry. You can also find different types of jobs within almost any staffing agency. Jobs range from very short-term positions (as short as a couple of weeks) to permanent positions.

There Are Often Benefits

Some staffing agencies provide benefits after employees have worked a certain number of days or hours. These benefits may include health insurance, a retirement plan, or even tuition reimbursement (or all three).

They Give You Feedback

Most staffing agencies provide you with feedback throughout the job application process. They might give you tips on how to revise your resume or provide advice on how to successfully interview. They'll also have a good sense of which roles you're qualified for—and which ones you are not.

This kind of free feedback is invaluable.

You'll Gain Experience—and Grow Your Network 

Another advantage of working for a staffing agency is that you can potentially get work in a new industry. Or, you may be able to get a role where you'll get more experience or grow a new skill. 

Plus, anytime you work in a job, you are meeting new people. These are contacts who are then in your network, which is very helpful for your career overall. 

Types of Available Jobs

Some people think staffing agencies only fill temporary secretarial and administrative jobs, but this is not the case. You can find a job in almost every industry through a staffing agency.

Some staffing agencies (including Kelly Services and Adecco) work with all kinds of companies, while others specialize in particular industries. Medical Solutions, for example, focuses on healthcare jobs. TEKsystems staffs companies with IT hires.

Agencies also offer jobs that last for varying lengths of time. These include:

Temporary Jobs: Companies often look for temporary hires to help during an employee’s absence or period of leave, or during a busy work period. Sometimes they hire temporary workers to complete a particular project. These temporary jobs range in length from a couple of weeks to many months.

Temp-to-Hire Jobs: Also known as temp-to-perm jobs, these positions begin as temporary jobs so that the company can get to know the employee on a trial basis. Then, if the company is happy with the employee’s work, they will likely hire him or her directly. While the staffing agency will typically pay for the worker during the temporary phase, the company will then take over paying the employee when he or she becomes a full-time hire.

Permanent Jobs: Some staffing agencies hire candidates for permanent positions at companies. In these situations, the agency works more like a traditional recruiter, finding, interviewing, and selecting candidates for the company. In this case, the company pays the agency a fee. If the company hires an employee, they pay for the employee.

Note

Many agencies offer a variety of all three of these kinds of jobs, although some specialize. For example, Frontline Source Group focuses on hiring temporary workers.

Remote Roles: Staffing agencies can also connect you with remote opportunities—these may be temp, temp-to-perm, or full-time. Robert Half, for instance, notes that the agency has placed people in a variety of remote roles, including accounts payable, graphic design, and attorney. Similarly, when you browse the job board at Adecco, you can choose to look at only remote roles.

How to Find the Right Staffing Agency for You

When you are looking for a staffing agency to work with, make sure you know the kinds of industries the agency deals with, and whether they offer temporary, temp-to-hire, or permanent jobs—or all three.

Check out the American Staffing Association’s online directory to find reputable staffing firms. You can search for firms in your area. You can also search by employment options (temporary, long-term, etc.) and industry.

When you interview with a staffing agency, feel free to ask questions. Ask about what benefits (if any) they offer, what kinds of jobs they typically fill, the industries they work with, and the average time it takes for a job seeker to land a job. The recruiter you work with is there to help you, so don’t be afraid to gather all the information you need.

Check into whether or not the agency has any services, such as workshops to help you develop skills or counselors who will help you with your resume and cover letter. If these are available, take advantage of them.

Note

Keep in mind that you should never have to pay a staffing agency to help you find a job. Reputable staffing agencies are paid by companies, not by job seekers.

Tips for Working with a Staffing Agency

Treat It Like a Real Interview

The staffing agency will likely set up an interview with you to get a better sense of your skills and experience. 

Note

Treat this interview exactly as you would an interview with a company. 

Dress appropriately and show up on time—early, if possible. Listen attentively and use positive body language to convey your attention and interest. Introduce yourself with a firm handshake. Bring your resume and be ready to answer common interview questions. You might also be asked to complete a skills assessment to test your hard skills, so be prepared for this as well.

Be Honest

Be honest about your goals, whether it’s to land a permanent position, maintain flexibility, or to develop some skills that will make you an attractive candidate for your next full-time job. 

Also, be honest about your availability. If you are only available on weekdays, for example, tell this to the recruiter at the staffing agency. 

Finally, be candid about your employment history. If you have an employment gap, for example, tell the recruiter. They can help you figure out how to explain this to an employer.

Keep an Open Mind

Even if you want a full-time position, consider being open to temporary jobs or contract work. These can help you develop skills that might be useful when you apply for your next full-time job. If you impress an employer, he or she might try to find you a full-time position at the company.

Follow Up

Send an emailed or handwritten note to thank the interviewers at the staffing agency for their time and to reinforce your interest in finding a position.

Be Persistent and Patient

If you applied for a job through a staffing agency and haven’t heard back, follow up within a week. Perhaps you were not right for that specific job, but a recruiter might be able to find something else that fits your skill set. Check in with any staffing firm you’ve contacted once a week to remind them of your interest and demonstrate your eagerness.

Use Other Resources

You do not have to put all your eggs in one basket. While you wait to hear back from the agency, continue to job search on your own. 

Check out job boards and job search engines and network with people in your industry. However, be open with your recruiter—tell them if you apply to any jobs on your own and if you are working with a second staffing agency. This way, your recruiter will not submit you for a job that you already applied for (in some cases, an employer will remove your application if he or she sees it twice).

When You Get a Job, Prepare

When you receive an assignment, the agency will provide you with information as to whom to report, dress code, hours, wages, and a description of the duties and duration of the job. You might also need to do a second interview with the company. If you don’t receive all of this information, ask the agency for all of this information.

You Can Say No

If you truly feel a position is not a good fit—perhaps the hours do not work for you, or the pay is well below what you need—be honest with the recruiter. Explain why you don’t want the position. It will help the recruiter find you a job that is a better fit in the future.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Do I have to pay an employment agency to get hired?

Staffing and employment agencies are generally paid by the company that hires
them to recruit candidates for jobs, so you shouldn’t have to pay a fee to work
with the agency or to get hired. Before you sign on with an agency, have a clear understanding of how the hiring process works.

What types of jobs do staffing agencies hire for?

Agencies hire for a variety of positions, including temporary jobs, contract work, and permanent positions. When you're looking for an agency to work with, check the company's website to see what type of positions it specializes in. Some focus on temp work, for example, while others fill a variety of jobs.

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Sources
The Balance uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
  1. SHRM. "How to Minimize Staffing Agency Snags." 

  2. CareerOneStop. "Employment or Staffing Agencies."

  3. Robert Half. “Find Your Next Remote Hire Now.”

  4. Adecco. “Find a Job.”

  5. CareerOneStop. “Employment Agencies.”

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