By Michele Genet
With the ongoing changes in the current landscape of healthcare, biomed, IT and construction industries, job seekers are finding a wealth of opportunities.
Whether you’re new to the workforce, returning after some time away or considering a career pivot into one of these fields, have you considered the possibility of working with a staffing agency? You’ll find more advantages to the experience than you may think. Today, we’re showcasing three of those important benefits to this kind of partnership.
But before we do that, let’s review what the relationship between a job seeker and a staffing agency can look like. In some cases, it might seem a bit transactional, with the staffing agency acting as the vendor connecting employers with potential talent. At Far West, we aim for a reciprocal partnership, with an emphasis on career growth and community building. Every staffing agency and job seeker is different, so be sure to keep an open mind when venturing into this journey.
Three Benefits of Working with a Staffing Agency as a Job Seeker
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Submit Your Resume Once – Be Considered for Many Jobs
Trying to identify the next step in your career can feel like a full-time job. But remember, that’s a big reason why staffing agencies exist! Tapping into a staffing agency’s services streamlines your job search process – without costing you a penny. At Far West, we apply an assortment of variables to our network of opportunities when finding potential matches for our talent. Depending on your needs and interests, this might include the industry niche, type of client, length of employment (for example, temporary, temp-to-hire, or full-time) and a rural vs. urban location. Not only do we get to present your resume to multiple employers, but we can also present you for jobs all around the country, regardless of where you live.
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Open Yourself Up to Opportunities You May Not Have Known Existed
A staffing agency can help you discover new roles that you might not otherwise find on your own. When Far West starts working with a potential candidate, we have lots of honest, transparent conversations up front to get to know each other. We’ll use that insight to create a framework of your ideal working situation (and level of career flexibility). This first weeds out the jobs that won’t be a good match and then brings into focus alternative roles that might just be the perfect fit. When it comes time to connect with the employer, our team uses the information gathered in those informal conversations to advocate for you, making sure to elevate your strengths and put you forward as a top candidate to consider.
This process can feel exhaustive when on your own, but with a recruiting partner like Far West, you’ll know you’re getting looped in on available jobs that could be right for you – including ones that weren’t yet posted when your job search began. New opportunities arise every day, so having a partner who will keep you top of mind as things continue to change and evolve is the best-case scenario.
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Become a Member of a Supportive Community
Another benefit to working with a staffing agency, especially a specialized one, is getting to gain key industry insights and details from people who spent years (if not decades) working in those specific fields. At Far West, we readily share what to expect, what to avoid and how to act in industries such as healthcare, biomed, IT and construction – and it all comes from our past hands-on experience in those roles. These kinds of shared insights can help end the cycle of not being able to get a job without experience – and not being able to get experience without a job. When you join the Far West network, you’re joining a community of like-minded professionals who support your career goals with as much real-world advice and guidance as possible.
Something to Consider
Of course, anything with benefits probably will come with a few drawbacks, too. But while most staffing agencies won’t likely offer traditional benefits, including health insurance and retirement plans, many agencies (like Far West) can retain employees on a W-2 basis, which eliminates the complicated paperwork and planning that comes with being a 1099 employee. This option also provides the consistency and support that can sometimes feel missing in an independent contractor role. Our goal is to simplify this aspect of employment for the talent we work with, so you can get back to doing what you do best: chasing your career dreams.
Are you a job seeker curious about working with a staffing agency? Consider this your sign to take the leap! Send your resume to Far West today and let’s get working, together.
Contact Michele Genet to get started today.
