With the economy in the dumpster these days, a lot of people are looking for a new job or even a second job. With all the other responsibilities they have, how do they find the time to hunt for a job? They use a temp agency in Houston to help locate gainful employment for them. If you haven’t considered using an employment agency yet, it could work for you. Here are some tips on how to find a good agency and how this type of service works.
Understanding How They Work
First of all, you need to understand that when you sign up with a temporary employment agency, you are an employee of that agency. When they find you work, you’re not an employee of the company you’re sent to. You are on the agency’s payroll. The temp agency will withhold taxes and social security from your paychecks just like any other employer and give you a W-2 at tax time. Depending on the work, you could be at a temp job for a couple of weeks, a month, or even longer. Some companies even offer good temp workers permanent positions.
Shop Around
Not all temp agencies are created equally, so don’t sign up with the very first one you come across. Call a few first and ask them some questions.
- What type of job openings do you fill?
- What is your job placement percentage?
- How many years have you been in business?
- Are there specific industries you specialize in?
- How soon do you anticipate placing me in a job?
- Do you offer career counseling and resume assistance?
To make sure the service is all they claim to be, check with the Better Business Bureau in Houston. Find out if they have ever had any grievances filed against them by employees or companies who used them. If they have, find out if the issue was resolved in favor of the claimant or the temp service.
Check for Professional Affiliations
It’s perfectly acceptable to ask the agency if they belong to any professional associations. It’s a mark in their favor if they belong to either the National Association of Personnel Services or the American Staffing Association. Look for an employment service that has an A plus rating from the Better Business Bureau. You should look for online reviews. Look up the temp service online on sites like Google Places, City Search, and Yelp to read honest reviews from other people who have worked with them.
A Temporary Job Is Better than No Job
You can make a great impression on the staff of the temp agency in Houston if you accept the jobs that are offered to you even if they’re not what you see yourself doing long term. You need the work, so accept it. You never know what it could lead to.