Want To Be A Busy Bee? Use A Staffing Agency
Things are about to be crazy for the next few weeks (I apologize in advance for the intermittent blog posts.) Today I started a 4 week stint at PetSmart corporate writing copy for their proprietary brand packaging. The best part about this gig is that I get to bring my presh pup to work with me every day. How sweet is that?
For all you freelancers out there, I highly recommend that you do a little research and find a staffing agency that will score gigs for you like Staffing Strong, an agency that specializes in placing marketing professionals in temporary, part-time, and full-time positions (based on the demand and your preference.)
In all my three years of freelancing--I have never thought to seek out the help of a staffing agency. I was always able to secure clients through word of mouth or Craigslist. In this case, however, I didn't have to any reaching out because Staffing Strong found my LinkedIn profile. If you aren't so lucky, consider being proactive and pursuing a few different agencies. Oh, and never, ever, ever, pay for a staffing agency up front. That's a scam.
Why I Recommend Freelancers Use A Reputable Staffing Agency To Land Gigs
1. It's a confidence boost.
When a staffing agent reaches out to you with jobs, it makes you feel like you actually have your shit together. Psychologically speaking, seeking out jobs can be time consuming and feel degrading. Walking into an interview is a lot easier when you know your agent already believes you are a good fit for the job. Since staffing companies have a reputation to withhold, they aren't going to send their clients unqualified people.
2. It's like a dating service for your dream job.
Yesterday I met my staffing agent and I was a little surprised at the kinds of questions she was asking me. What was my dream job? What kind of things was I looking for in a company? Was I interested in relocating? What pay range would work for me? What industry did I want to work in? Was I interested in contracting, part-time or full-time opportunities? What was my astrological sign? Did I fall from heaven?
3. It allows you to get a feel for the company's culture before committing to a full time job.
It's like test driving a car before you commit to the big purchase. If you like the environment, you can network within the company and develop relationships with hiring managers. On the other hand, if you don't like the job, you can move on once the contract is over. That's a win-win in my book.
Though staffing agencies negotiate your salary on your behalf (and take a portion of your hourly) --this isn't necessarily a bad thing. If you tell your agent in advance your hourly range, they will only send you jobs that fit that criteria. They're in the business of making money too, remember!
Best of luck with the job search!
*Image by Riccardo Cuppini, Flickr
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