As with answering ads, these strategies are inexpensive and require little effort on your part. They also have the same drawback: It's a matter of chance whether or not you obtain an interview for the position you want with the kind of organization you desire. A statistic underscoring this point is that companies list only 5% of the openings that they have with employment agencies. They advise other organizations of an even smaller percent age of their vacancies.
If your objective is to work in a particular industry or field, read the appropriate trade publications. Agencies that specialize in your area of interest will advertise in these media. Call the firms that are local and send your resume to the others.
If the geographic region in which you want to live has an abundance of companies in your specialty, you'll find agencies that concentrate in your line of work. For example, agencies specialize in the computer industry in the San Francisco Peninsula and along Route 128 outside Boston; in the pharmaceutical industry in New Jersey; and in the advertising industry in New York City.
To identify the agencies to approach, call the personnel departments at a few of the companies in the industry or field. Ask for their recommendations, including the names of the best people to contact.
Last, there are two publications to consider; Directory of Executive Recruiters lists the prominent agencies throughout the country. The firms are categorized geographically as well as by the industries and job functions in which they concentrate. You can purchase a copy from Kennedy Publications, 2 Kennedy Way, Fitzwilliam, NH 03447 ([800] 531-0007). The Recruiting d- Search Report lists agencies as well. There are four regional editions, and agencies are also grouped by job category and industry of specialization. Write to PO. Box 9433, Panama City Beach, FL 32417 or call (800) 634-4548.
The results you obtain from an agency will depend on the ability of the individual who represents you. If you feel this person is inexperienced or doesn't understand your qualifications and objective, speak to the manager and ask to be assigned to someone else. Agencies are plagued by personnel turnover and are constantly training new people. You don't want to have a trainee working on your search. Also, if your agency representative isn't producing interviews for you, call him once a week "just to stay in touch." He's always hearing about new positions, and this call will assure that he remembers you.
If your objective is to relocate to a specific part of the country, send your resume to the agencies in that geographic area. To identify these firms, read Directory of Executive Recruiters, The Recruiting 6' Search Report, the Yellow Pages, and the "Help Wanted" sections of the appropriate Sunday newspapers. Contact as many agencies as you can. Fifty is not too many.
Working with employment agencies isn't an effective strategy for all job-seekers. These firms usually place people in entry-, junior-, and staff-level positions. This is where there are the most openings, the greatest turnover, and their best chances of success.
However, if you can find an agency that specializes in your industry or job function, then it may be of assistance to you even if you hold a senior-staff or management-level responsibility. The employment agency business has matured to the point that today there are individuals in it who have the expertise of executive recruiters. They also place people in jobs paying up to $75,000 per year. In addition, client companies always assume the fee.
Never rule out an agency because it's located far away. When an agency specializes in an industry or field, its clients are often national in scope.
Agencies are especially effective for certain types of job-seekers: recent college graduates, secretaries, general office personnel, sales representatives, engineers, computer programmers and analysts, accountants, and financial analysts. Many firms specialize in placing these types of individuals and will arrange interviews for them within minutes of having learned about their backgrounds. If you fit one of these categories, visiting agencies should be one of the first strategies you consider using.
