10 Consumer Questions To Ask Every Empoyment Agency

What should you expect from an employment agency?

It’s not an easy question because employment agencies offer a variety of services to a variety of job seekers and a range of businesses. Some agencies specialize in entry-level positions or in given professions. Others are generalists.

Also, of course, there is the question of whether or not you need an employment agency at all. The Internet is here and there are well-known employment sites online. Ask the agency what advantage it has over online applications. In some cases an agency may have a long-term relationship with an employer which could be beneficial, in other cases they may do little more than search the Internet for job opportunities — something you can do with little if any cost.

To see if an employment agency makes sense for you, ask these 10 questions:

1. Who is the client?

   If you’re paying the bill then you are the client and the employment agency is obligated to get the best possible job for you. However, if the employer is paying then the employment agency works for them and it’s goal is to get the best person to fit a given job — “best” may mean not only well-qualified by at the lowest cost possible.

2. What is the relationship between the agency and the employer?

   Is the agency exclusively seeking to fill a job for an employer or are 30 agencies looking for the right candidate? Has the agency previously obtained jobs from the employer? Similar jobs with other employees? Does the agency have a personal relationship with the employer or with someone at the employer?

3. Does the agency actually have the job you want?

   An employment agency’s stock and trade are the names of its business clients. You can’t expect an employment agency to give away client names but you can expect them to tell you the specifics about the job such as: What education, experience and training are required? What are the salary and benefits? Where is the general location (think of commuting)? Do you need a license or certificate? Must be you be able to be bonded and insured? What are the hours? Etc.

4. Are you the only candidate the agency is sending to the employer?

   If yes, great. If no, do they send every warm body they can locate? No, good. Then how do they decide who to send? Get a real answer. Don’t settle for generalities. Get specifics.

5. Will the agency help perfect your resume?

   This can be important in situations where the employer has a stack of applications. Not only do you want a resume geared to the specific employer, you also want an appropriate cover letter.

6. Will the agency help you prepare for a job interview?

   For instance, what are the 10 questions you are most-likely to be asked? What are the best answers? Remember, packaging and tilting your answers is important, stressing some points and not others can get you hired — or ignored.

7. What happens if you accept the job and leave a few months later?

   Are you responsible for the agency fee? What is your liability? Even if termination is required because you move? Get injured? Are fired? If you have any liability for the agency fee when does it end?

8. Is the agency state-licensed?

   State license standards vary. For example, the New York Better Business Bureau says that employment agencies in that state must have one license to charge applicants a fee but a different license if they only charge employees.

9. Is there any up-front cost for registration or for some or all of the fee?

   Some states ban upfront fees but that may not be the case everywhere. In general, up-front fees are a bad idea because you are paying for services in advance — services which may not result in a satisfactory job or in any job.

10. Will you receive a copy of the employment agency contract?

    This document should show the fee and when it is earned, due and payable. You must have a copy of this document to avoid future fee disputes.

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