Working with Staffing Firms
I’ve gotten a few jobs and assignments through different staffing firms. In talking with other job seekers I’ve heard some common complaints about working with a staffing company. Interestingly enough, depending on who you talk to, I’ve heard the same complaints applied to each of the creative staffing firms here in Richmond.
Please rate your staffing agency.
The top complaint is “[Staffing firm A] isn’t any good because they didn’t try very hard to get me a job. [Staffing firm B] is better.” Of course, then the next person says the opposite. It seems like many people think working with a staffing firm is like having your own personal assistant out there finding job opportunities for you. In reality, the recruiters and account managers at these companies have dozens (or hundreds) of clients, and there are a few things you can do to keep you at the top of their stack of candidates.
Following up with your contacts at staffing firms is important, of course, in keeping yourself on their minds. But, how you follow up is just as important as remembering to do it in the first place. You will get no where if you call to complain about not hearing from them. Let me repeat that: do not call your staffing firm and complain! Recruiters are people first, and they will try harder for you if they like you.
You need to find ways to remind them you exist without annoying the bejesus out of them. One way to do this is to send an updated resume. Any time I make a tweak or add anything to my resume, I send it along with a note about what I changed and why. Another good tip is to look out for job listings posted by the staffing firm (almost all of them have their own site that lists jobs, and they all use the major job boards), and contact your recruiter to let him or (more often around here anyway) her know you are interested. The worst that can happen is they might tell you they don’t think you’re a good fit for that position.
I also occasionally call just to check in and let the recruiter know what I am up to and what positions I’ve applied for. Often I have to leave a message, and just as often they don’t call back. But that’s OK. I don’t need them to call me back if they have nothing for me, but I do need them to remember I exist and to consider me when a new position comes across their desks.
Link: About.com Job Searching Blog
I can’t say I spend too much time wading through the gobs of content over at About.com, but a tweet by @RichmondJobNet sent me to the About.com Job Searching Blog, which has some helpful information for job hunters.
The Temporary Life
One of my strategies for getting by since losing my job has been to take temporary work through creative staffing agencies like BOSS, Aquent and Techead. While I initially thought this would make up a larger portion of my workload, with freelancing directly with clients and agencies filling in the gaps, the ratio has been somewhat reversed.
That may change today, as I am interviewing for a three-month contract position through a staffing agency. The job isn’t exactly what I am looking for, but three whole months of steady pay is hard to turn down. If I get this gig, I will have less time for other freelancing, particularly taking meetings during the day or working on-site with clients, but I should be able to maintain some level of freelance work while contracting.
Contract work is also a great way to find your way into full-time employment, and it has worked for me at least twice in the past. Both times I was hired on full-time before my contract was even up. It gets you in the door where you can impress people with your work and your attitude. And best of all, some temp agencies pay every week, so you don’t have to wait up to a month (or more, depending on the client) for freelance checks.
How to Network When You’re Unemployed
So, you lost your job. According to the Wall Street Journal, networking, both online and in-person, is the the way to find a new job. But, how do you make the most of those networking opportunities? Well, to be honest, I don’t really know. But I can share my approach with you.
I think this guy forgot to get his information put on his business card. Clearly he doesn't have this networking thing down.
If you hadn’t been networking before you lost your job, you might find it hard to get started. Your first instinct may be to introduce yourself and start asking for work. But, even (ore maybe especially) when you are unemployed, networking is more about showing people what you have to offer than it is asking them to help you.
A quick Google search for “networking advice” yields a whole heap of tips for networking from people far more experienced in it than I am. All these tips aside, it is important to remember to be genuine. I know that probably sounds like corny advice, but it’s also true.
One thing you do not want to do is come across as desperate. If business is like dating, networking events are like singles bars. And desperation is just as unattractive in business. I would leave the talk of financial troubles for when you are having drinks with your friends. Have an answer ready for what you’ve been up to since you lost your job, and remember to put as positive a spin on it as reasonably possible. My stock answer is that I’ve have been fairly busy with freelance, but that I am always looking for more and I am applying to jobs as they become available.
Am I Unemployed?
There was a time when I thought this was an easy question to answer. Either I was working or I wasn’t. But, after being laid off from my job at a small ad agency in October, I’ve learned this isn’t just a yes or no question. And I know I’m not alone.
As of January, there are 11.6 million unemployed Americans and according to Ad Age, the advertising industry alone as shed 65,000 jobs.
I bet she works in advertising.
On this blog, I’m going to write about my experiences looking for work, full-time and freelance, and trying to find a way to succeed in a tough economy. I’ll share my experiences and post links to advice and resources for job seekers. I have a lot of other plans for this site as well, including a list of almost 300 general and niché job sites.