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Employment and Temporary Agencies

Need work fast? Employment and temporary agencies can be an excellent resource in your job search.

Employment agencies can often help you find work fast. Some employment agencies can place you in a position within a day. Many agencies will also focus on matching your skills to job opening. Some give you the chance to "test drive" a position as a temp-to-hire. Most agencies are paid by employers. This means their services are free to job seekers. Read more about the two types of employment agencies below — temp agencies and recruiting services.

Temp Agencies Match Workers with Short-term Positions

Temp (short for "temporary") agencies recruit and assign employees to short-term job assignments. They are sometimes known as staffing services or contract firms. When the employer no longer needs the staff member, a worker's short-term assignment is complete. The temp agency then looks for another job assignment for the worker.

Benefits of using a temp agency and doing temporary work include:

  • Gain skills and work experience.
  • Have a source of income while looking for work.
  • Obtain free training.
  • Increase networking contacts.
  • Have more flexible hours or working conditions to accommodate your personal situation.
  • Check out an employer or an occupation before making a commitment to it.
  • It's easier to get a job when you have a job.
  • Sometimes employers offer permanent positions to temp workers who work out well.

Most temp agencies do not offer health insurance. Some may make it available to temp employees after they have worked for a set period of time. Temp employees generally do not qualify for employment benefits such as paid vacation days, sick days, or holidays.

Recruiting Services Place People in Permanent Jobs

Recruiting services search for candidates to fill permanent, full-time jobs. These firms are also called permanent employment agencies, headhunters, or executive search firms. They recruit, screen, and then refer qualified candidates to the employer for consideration. When an employer hires a referred candidate, the employer pays a fee to the agency.

Benefits of using a recruiting service include:

  • You often get access to unadvertised openings.
  • The recruiting firm is working to match your skills and long-term goals to a job.

Tips for Working with Employment Agencies

Before you work with any employment agency, ask what services you can expect and what will be expected of you. Find out whether it will cost you anything, and if so, how much. Here are some additional tips:

  • Be professional in all dealings. Treat agencies as you would a potential employer. In the case of temp agencies, they are employers.
  • Be available. Most agencies expect you to make yourself available when they offer you a placement. If you turn down more than a couple of opportunities, they may not be as quick to consider you for future ones.
  • Expand your job search. Use the services of agencies, but do not make them your primary job search tool.
  • Check your benefits. If you receive government assistance, such as unemployment insurance, your benefits may be affected. Short-term wages may reduce your benefit amount. However, they may also extend the length of time that you can receive benefits. Before accepting or rejecting a specific opportunity, check with the agency from whom you receive benefits. Get information about Minnesota's Unemployment Insurance (UI) Program.