After spending nearly nine months in the job market trying to find the right position in marketing, I can only imagine how hard it must be for someone to land that perfect technical position.  I’m usually amazed when I hear that long-time job seekers refuse to work with staffing agencies.  They say they’re afraid the recruiter will misrepresent them to the employer, or that they will end up getting offers for low-paying jobs, but just the opposite is true.

Professional recruiters are usually very busy people, so be sure you look for staffing agencies that have enough recruiters to handle their current client load.  Don’t be afraid to ask for references and be prepared to contact them to see what they thought of the experience.  Talk to someone who has been placed in a job by the agency and ask about the strengths and weaknesses of the recruiters.

Acceptable fees for staffing agencies will vary from one state to the next, with many states restricting their fees to a percentage of the employee’s first year earnings.  Temporary agencies will often bill the employer based on the number of placements they make. If you have any questions or concerns, find out what kind of provisions have been set forth for public and private staffing agencies by contacting the Department of Labor in your state

Technical staffing agencies can add structure and purpose to your job search by taking on the role of an agent.  Not only will they get you in the door a lot faster by presenting you as a candidate, they can help you negotiate your benefits, salary and commissions better than you might do on your own.  Depending on your level of experience, a technical recruiter may become your primary resource for finding a job.  Technical recruiters can be a resource for everything from finding temporary work to finding top IT position.