Staffing Firm Confessions

My name is Deatra Terry, I’m the President of Rainmaker Resources.  I have been in staffing for over 5 years now and have had the pleasure of knowing Michael Cain my entire staffing career!  I’m honored to be a guest blogger sharing “Staffing Firm Confessions” – I’ll start out mild to not ruffle any feathers right off the bat!   J

Wanna hear it.. here it goes:

To best serve my candidates I consistently ask, “Have you worked with a staffing firm before?”.. and “What was your experience like?”  It’s important to know everyone’s perception prior to doing business.  This allows me to overcome objections and hopefully supersede existing expectations. Time and time again, I hear the same reply –  “I’ve met with staffing firms before and never heard from anyone again..” This is a common misunderstanding with candidates that should be nipped in the bud!  Staffing firms sometimes represent themselves as working FOR YOU. This is NOT the case!  

Candidates working with staffing firms have to understand, staffing is a commissioned business that is paid by the client. Client companies engage searches with firms to find them EXACTLY what they’re looking for.  Meeting with candidates is a part of that process.  If you’re not a “fit” for the specific position you were called for, in all honesty, you will NOT hear from that firm again until they have a position that IS a fit for you. 

 If you are a candidate that would like the undivided attention of a professional recruiter then my advice to you is to engage with one that will be working on YOUR behalf, not the client company.  This will of course cost you.  If you’re willing to pay a headhunting fee, you will have a professional designating their time and resources to your specific job search. 

So, when working with a firm keep in mind, while they would love to help you find your next career move, they HAVE to stay focused on who is paying their commissions – and that is the client company they are representing!!  Don’t get discouraged when you don’t hear back, you’re in their database. And, if/when they do have a client company engage in a search with them that IS a fit for you, they’ll be knocking your door down. Be patient and work with people you trust – You as a candidate are a very valuable commodity, make sure you’re treated as such and expectations are set for all involved!