State Employment Security Commissions
Often referred to as "The Unemployment Office," these commissions are state-run agencies and, therefore, the exact way they operate depends upon the dictates of each state. Some states offer job counseling and job search assistance through these offices. These agencies also serve as depositories for the Federal Job Bank, which contains openings for jobs that the federal government is connected with in some way. Ask your agency about this service. Find out what the security commission in your state can do to aid you in your job search. Look for your state agency under the state listing in the white pages of the phone book.
Example: In Michigan you would open the white pages to "Michigan, State of," and proceed to "Employment Security Administration." Warning: All states do not refer to this agency as an Employment Security Administration. Look for other possible listings or call state government information.
Employment Agencies
Should you or shouldn't you? An employment agency sounds like an easy way to find a job, but you hear so many different stories about them, how they operate, how much they charge. Understand how they function and how to assess their legitimacy so you can use them, if possible, as another prospecting tool.
Employment agencies make the majority of their placements in the lower salary level positions, and typically place individuals who are seeking employment in the local geographical area. Most will actively try to place candidates with local employers. When they receive a job order, they will review their files for applicants or advertise in the local newspapers.
The fees are normally up to a maximum of 30 percent of your starting salary. Pay attention to who is paying the placement fee. Before you go on the interview, find out if:
- Employer Pays the Fee-If the agency sends you on an interview and you are hired, the company that hired you pays the agency for sending you to it.
- Job Seeker Pays the Fee-If the company hasn't agreed to pay the fee, and you are hired, you will end up paying the agency fee. Fortunately, this type of arrangement is becoming rare. Some states have even outlawed this practice.
Incidentally, it is recommended you not tell an employment agency counselor what companies you have already contacted about openings. He or she could send another one of their candidates to interview for those openings. If one should beat you out, you lose but the agency still wins. It still gets paid by the company. How to Qualify Employment Agencies
- What is its placement success rate?
- Will they give you the names and telephone numbers for a few of their satisfied placements?
- Do they seem genuinely concerned with your interests? If not, ask the agency manager for a new counselor or go to another agency.
- Did they explain the contract to you point by point? Did you understand it? Were you completely satisfied with their explanations?
There are several kinds of employment agencies. Specialized agencies, for instance, include jobs for clerical workers, nurses, accountants, and so forth. General agencies represent job seekers in general. Temporary agencies obviously specialize in temporary help. This area has expanded greatly within the past few years, and now encompasses not only clerical and unskilled hourly positions, but in more recent years has grown to include technical and professional positions as well. Beyond utilizing temporary agencies to find employees to help out in an "overload" situation or to fill in for employees on vacation or sick leave, there are growing numbers of employers who like the idea of being able to try out an employee on a temporary basis. After a period of time, if this employee proves himself or herself capable, and he or she likes working at the company, the employer then invites the person to work directly for the company. This practice is often referred to as temp to perm.
Working for a temporary agency is not a bad way to get paid for discovering what various companies are like and how your job might vary from one day to another. In addition, temporary agencies can provide some real opportunities for parents who are reentering the workforce after raising children.
Some employers are moving to employee leasing. This concept is not dissimilar to working for a temporary agency. You are hired by the employee leasing company, it pays you your wages and benefits, and you are assigned to work at one of its client companies. This relieves the client company of hiring, providing benefits, doing payrolls, filing employment related tax returns, and so forth.
