It can take Colorado jobseekers weeks, months, or even longer to find a job on their own. Common obstacles include not knowing where to apply for a job, how to write an effective cover letter or resume, or what to say during an interview. As a result, many people are coping with unemployment as they try to navigate an often intimidating job market. There is help, though, and it’s called a staffing agency.
A staffing agency is an organization that matches employees to employers. It is staffed by experienced recruiters—also known as headhunters—who regularly communicate with hiring managers to assess their needs and provide them with qualified candidates capable of helping their business reach its goals. Recruiters also help jobseekers like recent college graduates, laid off workers and career changers with professional development to further their career plans.
Here’s how the process works. After contacting a staffing agency, a recruiter will typically schedule a time to meet with a candidate. During that initial meeting, a candidate will be interviewed and take a set of behavioral, personality and skills assessments to determine suitable job placements. Oftentimes, candidates have not defined their professional goals or are unaware of how to present themselves in front of employer. In each of these scenarios, a recruiter will ask the right questions to help a candidate identify their hard and soft skills before discussing which fields they best apply. Hard skills are specific, teachable abilities like graphic design experience; and soft skills are a collection of personality traits, habits and attitudes like a positive demeanor.
Once the recruiter has a better understanding of the candidate’s strengths and weaknesses, they can begin matching their employment needs to those of potential employers. For example, if a candidate’s goal is to gain practical experience or get a glimpse into how various companies function, a recruiter might recommend them for a temporary or contract position. These positions typically offer an hourly wage in exchange for duties to be performed for a specified length of time. This option is beneficial for jobseekers who want to explore their career options before settling on a chosen field; need immediate financial assistance; or want to learn new skills.
Another way staffing agencies benefit jobseekers is by finding them permanent placements, or direct-hire employment. This is because staffing agents have strong networks of potential employers who welcome their candidate recommendations. So instead of posting a resume on an online job board with thousands of other hopefuls and waiting for a phone call, a candidate can be personally introduced to someone within a target company.
Following a successful introduction, a staffing agent will help a candidate through the hiring process, including negotiating job offers and compensation packages. It is their goal to listen to what is most important to a candidate, establish a strong working relationship with them, and above all create an enriching work experience for everyone involved.