| Signing up with a recruiting agency can be a great | | | | There are some dead giveaways that you should be |
| route to finding a new job. Not only can it save you | | | | aware of when it comes to which agencies to avoid. |
| time in searching for a job yourself, it also provides | | | | One easy way to weed out those that are not the |
| for confidentiality in your search. These agencies can | | | | real deal is to pay attention to how they advertise |
| be very helpful in getting you connected to a variety | | | | their services. If their ads sound as if they are |
| of different employers, as well as letting you know | | | | promising the world and can place anyone in any job, |
| of the many otherwise unpublicized available positions. | | | | then this is a good indication that they are all hype. |
| Just like the various job search web sites, there are | | | | Another red flag to watch out for is a recruiting |
| recruiting agencies that work with a variety of | | | | agency that asks you for money for their services. |
| companies and career fields, and there are agencies | | | | Reputable recruiting agencies do not charge job |
| that are more specialized. When it comes to the | | | | seekers a fee for their services. Instead, they get |
| specialized agencies, these firms take the approach | | | | paid by the companies whenever they hire one of |
| that it is important for a person that desires to | | | | the agency's job candidates. So if a recruiting agency |
| remain in a certain field to only be connected to | | | | asks you for money, get out of there! |
| potential employers in that field. | | | | Once you sign up with an agency, note how the |
| Not only will these recruiting agencies have a wealth | | | | recruiter interacts with you and the service he or she |
| of knowledge about a certain field, they will also have | | | | provides. A reputable recruiter will take the time to |
| a wealth of knowledge about the companies they | | | | find out exactly what you are looking for in a new |
| represent. Some of these agencies may only | | | | job, assess your skills and experience, and match you |
| represent companies within a certain geographical | | | | up with companies that have job openings that are in |
| location. | | | | line with what you are looking for in a job. In other |
| This personalized service provides a great resource | | | | words, your needs are just as important to the |
| for those looking to move into any one geographical | | | | recruiter as the needs of the companies that sign |
| area, since all the employers listed in a specific field | | | | with them. If your recruiter does not take the time |
| would be listed with the local recruiting agency. This | | | | to talk with you and find out what you are looking |
| eliminates a very long and tedious process for the | | | | for in a new job and just starts sending you out on |
| potential employee-you. | | | | job interviews, this is a clear indicator that the |
| No matter what your career field, always conduct | | | | recruiter is not acting on your behalf. In such a |
| your own research on the various recruiting agencies, | | | | situation, you can ask to switch to a new recruiter |
| as there are many specialized markets out there. You | | | | within the same agency, but if you find that you |
| may find it of benefit to join a specialized recruiting | | | | have the same experience, it may be the agency |
| agency that has already gained the respect of the | | | | itself that is the problem, so move on. |
| surrounding community, and that the information | | | | Of course not all companies use recruiting agencies to |
| provided by these agencies reflect their dedication to | | | | fill their job openings. A recruiting agency is just |
| your respective field. Never simply join an agency | | | | another option available to you that will increase your |
| without a thorough background check, because the | | | | chances of finding a new job. It is always beneficial |
| right agency can do wonders for your career, but | | | | to continue your own job search when working with |
| the wrong agency could hinder your search and even | | | | a recruiting agency. |
| bring it to a standstill. | | | | |