PUBLISHED JUNE 10, 2019
Kforce: The secret to an easier, quicker job search
Sometimes job seekers don’t partner with a staffing firm because of the misconception that staffing agencies only place people in temporary jobs. People also may not consider working with a staffing agency because they believe they must pay to work with a recruiter. These two perspectives may not be true for all firms, however.
Searching for a new job can feel overwhelming. Whether the perfect employer isn’t hiring, or you don’t have all the requirements listed for your dream job, you may feel there are so many factors out of your control.
To optimize your chances of landing your perfect job, you need to use every resource possible.
There’s one resource you may not have considered. And it may just be what sets you apart from the rest of the candidates and gets you that job offer.
Benefits of working with a staffing agency
The job search process can be daunting. If you haven’t looked for a new job in a while, it may be even more challenging. Searching for open jobs, vetting employers and coordinating interview times often feels like a full-time job. There are multiple benefits of working with a staffing agency, including:
1. Your job search is streamlined
Working with a staffing firm can be a simple way to streamline your job search. Many people may not realize that working with a third-party recruiter is free.
“THE NICE PART ABOUT WORKING WITH A STAFFING SERVICES FIRM IS THAT YOU ARE ESSENTIALLY CROWDSOURCING YOUR JOB SEARCH EFFORTS.”
– RYAN LYNCH, KFORCE CLIENT RELATIONSHIP EXECUTIVE
“I talk to enough people who are looking for a job to know that most find it to be a scary proposition because there’s no defined roadmap. When you’re looking at different job postings, you see a variety of titles and job descriptions, and sometimes it just gets confusing. That’s where we come in,” Lynch says.
2. You partner with a skilled recruiter
Recruiters at Kforce learn what you’re looking for, your career goals and the type of work environment you seek. According to Ryan Lynch, “We will ask you questions like ‘Do you like the flexibility of contract work?’ and “What are you looking for in your next job, that you don’t have today?’”
“ONCE WE DECIDE WHAT PATH YOU NEED TO TAKE OR WHERE YOU WANT TO GO WITH YOUR CAREER, YOU SUDDENLY HAVE MULTIPLE ASSOCIATES THROUGHOUT THE FIRM ACTIVELY ADVOCATING ON YOUR BEHALF WITH OUR CLIENTS."
3. You gain access to multiple employers and jobs
Kforce has thousands of clients who are hiring people like you, and our recruiters take time to get to know you. “We aren’t just putting your resume in a portal—we’re having face-to-face conversations with the managers who have the ability to hire you. A firm like ours has access to more than 50 years of rich history and relationships throughout the country that you get to build upon,” Lynch explains.
A staffing agency is a liaison between job seekers and employers, so from there, your recruiter will identify interested companies. You’ll gain access to job openings that aren’t available on other job sites. In addition, you’ll have a wider variety of options than if you were searching for a job alone.
4. You receive help with scheduling interviews and polishing your resume
Kforce recruiters will then coordinate interviews, help you prepare for them and polish up your resume with you if needed.
“Most companies will help you write your resume as part of their services. When I meet with a candidate, I see it as part of my job to sit down with them and work on their resume with a critical eye,” Lynch shares.
Staffing agencies prioritize the relationship between their recruiters and job seekers
The relationship with your recruiter doesn’t end when you start your new contract job. Another benefit when working with a staffing agency is that you continue to receive support.
“The minute you accept that offer, you’re going to get onboarding emails, and you’re introduced to our consultant care program. We have a portal that really acts as a home base for anything you need related to your placement—whether it be payroll, benefits, additional training or resources to reach out to,” describes Lynch.
Kforce recruiters are committed to keeping in touch with you even after you’ve started your new job to ensure that you’re getting everything you need.
“TO ME, CONSULTANTS ARE THE LIFEBLOOD OF EVERYTHING THAT WE DO, AND I TRULY BELIEVE WE EMBRACE THAT IDEA AS A COMPANY.”
“Sometimes people are surprised by the consistent follow-up they experience once they become a consultant and join our Kforce family. We have a structured process where the recruiter who helped you find that job will be there to support you throughout the assignment,” Lynch adds.
Many people choose not to take on gig work because they fear they will be treated as an outsider and not fit in with full-time employees. Often, people worry that once they are placed at a client site, they will never hear from their recruiter again. “This is not the case for Kforce consultants,” Lynch says.
Suggested Reading:
Why I Love Being a Kforce Consultant
The Power of a Client-Consultant Relationship
On your first day, Kforce recruiters will meet you on-site to walk you in, set you up for the project and introduce you to the team. The recruiter you work with will check in at least every couple of weeks and provide ongoing training and consultant events quarterly. Recruiters are also in constant communication with your employer to ensure your experience is going smoothly.
“On the client side, we check in regularly to ensure things are going well and to gather feedback which we can share with the consultant,” Lynch says.
Myths and misconceptions about staffing agencies
We understand there are often misconceptions about working with staffing agencies, especially from people who may not have worked with one before.
Let's break down a few:
1. You have to pay recruiters for their services
Anyone can work with a Kforce recruiter and not spend a dime.
Staffing firms’ revenue comes from their clients—the employers looking to fill positions. “If someone is asking you to pay for their service, it’s a red flag and you should look elsewhere,” Lynch cautions.
2. Staffing agencies only hire for temp jobs
Another prevalent misconception people have is that staffing firms only offer short-term assignments.
However, this is not true at Kforce. “Most of our business is actually geared toward long-term engagements, either in project work or contract-to-hire,” Lynch says. “As companies are transforming their technology or their business, a lot of times they want to retain the people who helped them build their system and have the institutional knowledge.”
3. You’re just a number to a recruiter
The assumption that staffing firms just sling resumes couldn’t be further from the truth.
“Our mission at Kforce is always to form lasting personal relationships, whether to help you find a permanent job or deploy from assignment to assignment. That’s what most good firms are searching for—people who want to have a mutually beneficial relationship to help them achieve their career goals while solving problems for our clients.”
Searching for a new job can be a daunting feat, but you are in the driver’s seat. You determine the amount of effort you put into your entire job search, including tailoring your resume for every job you apply to and crafting your professional brand on social media. Leverage every resource available to you, including Kforce recruiters.
Our vision is To Have a Meaningful Impact on All the Lives We Serve® and that starts with you. If you’re ready to partner with Kforce, we have over 2,000 of the industry's best Technology and Finance & Accounting staffing specialists who are eager to help you on your career journey. Who knows, landing your perfect job may be just a click away!
