The latest Bureau of Labor Statistics report showed that 7.1 million people in America are unemployed.1 Although there are many open positions in the job market, employers are being selective due to the need to fill the skill gaps within their business. This makes it harder for candidates to land jobs in different industries, including those in the industrial sector.
What can active job seekers do to improve their chances of landing high-quality roles? This article will explore how you can cultivate a career journey and maximize your earnings potential with staffing agencies.
What Are Staffing Agencies?
A staffing agency is a professional organization that helps industrial workers connect with companies needing skilled labor. Think of them as a bridge between you and potential employers who require your services.
Staffing agencies handle everything. This includes initial job matching and guidance for scheduled interviews. Because of these, they can make the hiring process easier for professionals.
Instead of spending time and effort to constantly research and reach out to different businesses, partnering with a staffing firm allows you to benefit from the relationships they have already established. Moreover, they can offer you insights and expertise to drive your job search.
Benefits of Partnering with a Staffing Firm
To further understand the advantages of working with staffing firms, Hughes Recruiting & Consulting created the following list of benefits you can experience with the right partner:
1. Wide Network of Employers
A staffing firm maintains relationships with local manufacturers and warehouses. This creates an extensive network you can utilize when looking for a job. Moreover, it gives you access to positions not advertised on public job boards.
When a manufacturing plant needs to ramp up production quickly, they often contact their preferred staffing partners before posting jobs publicly. This suggests that working with a staffing company gives you early access to opportunities that match your interests.
2. Opportunities for Overtime and Premium Pay
The opportunity for overtime and premium pay through staffing agencies is particularly valuable for industrial workers looking to maximize their income.
Agencies often have specific knowledge about:
- Facilities that consistently offer overtime hours
- Businesses that pay shift differentials
- Locations with seasonal peaks that require extra hours
With this knowledge, staffing companies can strategically place workers in positions that can help them garner higher compensation. This can help candidates like you maximize your earnings potential without needing to push yourselves to the limit.
3. Streamlined Job Matching
Streamlined job matching through staffing agencies eliminates many frustrations typically associated with job searching. Instead of spending hours submitting applications to different companies, a single registration with a recruitment firm gives you access to multiple opportunities.
Your recruiters are responsible for learning your specific skills, experience, and preferences. They then use this information to match you with positions that fit your profile. This targeted approach saves time and increases the likelihood of finding a position that truly matches your qualifications and goals.
4. Increased Job Stability
A staffing agency can provide continuous employment opportunities, even as individual assignments end. This ensures increased job stability regardless of industry shifts and changes.
When you work directly for a single employer, your employment depends entirely on that company’s stability and needs. However, staffing agencies can quickly transition you to new opportunities if one assignment ends or you seek a change. They maintain relationships with multiple facilities to ensure they can keep their workers employed consistently.
5. Expert Guidance on Career Progression
The people you connect with within a staffing agency can serve as your career advisors. Equipped with knowledge and experience, they can help guide you toward the goals you set. This involves identifying opportunities for skill development and understanding which certifications are most valued by your potential employers.
By helping you plan your career progression, a staffing agency can empower you to advance your career strategically. Their guidance is effective because it’s based on real market knowledge and direct feedback from employers. This makes their input particularly valuable for workers looking to advance their careers in the industrial sector.
How do you build a relationship with a staffing agency?
You don’t just partner with any staffing agency. First, you need to choose the right one for your career journey. To help you build a good relationship, you can adopt the following steps:
1. Choose the right partner
Building a strong relationship with a staffing agency starts with choosing the right partner. Look for agencies that specialize in industrial staffing and have a proven track record in your local market. Remember that the right agency will have established relationships with major employers in your area. They should also understand industry-specific requirements while offering competitive pay rates.
This foundation is crucial because partnering with an agency that understands industrial work will lead to better job matches and more opportunities for growth.
Read more: Tips for Your Passive Job Search
2. Be clear about your goals and preferences
When you’re clear about your goals and preferences, you can help your recruiter become a more effective advocate for your career. Take the time to discuss specific details, such as:
- Desired hourly rate
- Shift preferences
- Commute limitations
- Long-term career objectives
A recruiter who understands your professional needs and desires is more effective than a staffing business that simply focuses on filling their client’s open roles. When your recruiter is knowledgeable about your preference, he or she can target opportunities that ultimately meet your goals. This clarity prevents time wasted on mismatched opportunities.
3. Provide an updated resume
Providing an updated resume might seem basic, but it’s essential for showcasing your industrial experience effectively. Your resume should detail:
- Specific equipment you’ve operated
- Safety certifications you hold
- Quantifiable achievements like production rates or safety records
Ensuring accurate documentation helps your recruiter develop an effective recruitment process. They can present you as a qualified candidate to potential employers and identify opportunities that match your skill level. Additionally, keeping your resume current signals to a recruitment agency that you’re serious about your professional development.
Read more: Avoid These 16 Deadly Resume Mistakes that Could Cost You the Job!
4. Maintain professional communication
Professional communication is crucial for maintaining a strong relationship with a staffing agency. This involves responding promptly to calls or messages, showing up on time for interviews or assignments, and following proper procedures for reporting absences or concerns.
Consistent communication also demonstrates reliability, a critical trait recruiters look for when considering candidates for opportunities. This behavior helps recruiters trust your skills and ability to represent their business well with their client companies.
5. Practice honesty and transparency
Honesty and transparency create a foundation of trust that benefits you and the agency. Be upfront about your work history and mention any gaps within your career. Clearly communicate any scheduling conflicts or limitations to help your recruiters avoid overpromising or mismatching.
Remember that a staffing agency’s goal is to help you land a job that fits your skills and objectives. It’s vital to keep them updated if, for example, you’re interviewing with other companies while you work with them. This transparency allows them to better advocate for you and avoid potential conflicts. It also helps them understand how best to support your job search throughout the hiring process.
Utilize the staffing industry to access the best opportunities.
Hughes Recruiting & Consulting is a staffing agency that focuses on building lasting connections. We aim to nurture regional economies with the help of skilled professionals like you.
With over 140 years of combined HR experience, we are confident that we can aid you in your job search. Contact us today to learn more!
Reference
- BLS. “The Employment Situation.” Bureau of Labor and Statistics, Nov. 2024, www.bls.gov/news.release/pdf/empsit.pdf.
