Using Employment Agencies

If you're thinking about signing up with an employment agency, try to bear the following points in mind:

1. Agencies usually work within a local geographical area, although they may supply candidates from their branches in other localities.
2. Agencies work on all types of jobs, from entry level to middle management. Many are specialists in certain industries, functional areas and types of positions. They cover factory workers, office workers, computer personnel, drivers, through to supervisory positions.
3. To get a quick check on what agencies are active in your area, look in your local press and Yellow Pages. You can call a few to see if they handle positions of interest to you. If they do, visit them and see how they operate.
4. Most legitimate agencies have their fees paid by the employer. Some of the less reputable ones may insist that you sign an agreement giving them up to 15% of your starting annual salary, with the promise that they will try to recover this from the company. Do not sign any agreements without reading them thoroughly.
5. Be wary of anyone promising you a job for a fee. However, if you decide to pay an agency fee, find out in advance what happens if they are unsuccessful in placing you in a job. Do they refund the money?
6. Ask for a list of satisfied clients who have used the agency and carefully check it out.
7. Employment agencies only make money when they place people, and sometimes you may be sent to a job that really is not for you. You must be careful that the agency sticks to your agenda - not their own.

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