Enlisting the help of recruiting agencies (Plus: Interview questions that make you go 🤯)

On Today’s Menu

• What I’m reading this week

• Enlisting the help of recruiting agencies

• Job interview questions that make you go 🤯 🤬 😡

Estimated read time: 5 minutes

What topics do you want to see me cover in future newsletters?

I’d love to hear from you - let me know if you have topics or questions you’d like me to address!

If you’d like to help, simply click the button below to complete a short survey.

Join our Reddit community!

Join r/finaldraftresumes to get access to important job search resources and get feedback on your career-related questions.

Enlisting the help of recruiting agencies

The job market in 2023 is tough as nails. There’s more competition than usual, and resorting to random online applications is no longer cutting it. I can’t tell you how many people I’ve spoken to that have said they’re at a complete loss for why they’re getting no traction with their job search.

Enter recruiting firms. These companies can help you by putting you in contact with their clients (employers).

Three ways recruiting agencies help in job hunting

• Interview Process: Recruiters interview you to understand your background, skills, and aspirations. This helps them pitch you to potential employers and find roles that align with your goals.

• Job Matching: Based on your credentials, agencies liaise with companies to find a fit. If there's interest, they facilitate interactions between you and potential employers.

• Employment Agreement: When a company chooses to hire you, the agency assists in finalizing terms, handling paperwork, and potentially placing you in subsequent roles after the contract ends.

Types of roles you can get by using a recruiting agency

• Temp-to-hire: Short-term roles to evaluate candidates, with potential for permanent positions post-trial.

• Temporary: Fills temporary needs, like covering for maternity leave.

• Permanent: Long-term positions, either part-time or full-time, with the company handling salary, benefits, and responsibilities.

How to enlist the help of a recruiting agency

• Research: Investigate local agencies for their reputation and track record. Check their websites, social media, and mission statements. Seek recommendations from acquaintances.

• Industry Specificity: Choose an agency that caters to your field. This enhances your chances of landing relevant jobs and getting industry-specific feedback.

• Understand Placement Process: Learn about the agency's job placement procedures to ensure they meet your preferences, such as type of work, frequency, and compensation plans.

Top US recruiting agencies

Robert Half: A global recruitment agency specializing in accounting, finance, IT, administrative, and creative professionals.

Korn Ferry: A leading global executive search and organizational consulting firm focusing on various industries, such as technology, healthcare, and finance.

Randstad: A worldwide recruitment agency focusing on various industries, such as IT, engineering, finance, human resources, and sales.

Adecco: A worldwide staffing agency offering services in various sectors, such as engineering, IT, finance, and office administration.

Kelly Services: A global staffing agency offering services in various sectors, such as engineering, IT, finance, and office administration.

Michael Page: An international recruitment agency specializing in a wide range of industries, including finance, engineering, marketing, and human resources.

TEKsystems: A leading IT staffing agency providing services in the United States and around the globe.

Aerotek: A leading staffing agency specializing in various industries, including engineering, scientific, professional, and industrial.

Spencer Stuart: A global executive search and leadership consulting firm providing services in various industries like healthcare, technology, and consumer goods.

ManpowerGroup: A global workforce solutions company providing staffing services in various sectors, such as IT, finance, engineering, and office administration.

Keep the following in mind:

• Recruiters don’t work for you, they work for the employer. That means they’ll only work with you if you’re a good fit for the roles they’re trying to fill.

• Many recruiters may ignore you (they receive a lot of outreach from people just like you). That’s normal and par for the course.

Interview questions that make you go 🤯 🤬 😡

I (a woman) was interviewing for a sales position I was certainly qualified for in a predominantly male organization.

The question asked by the manager: "I am hosting a dinner party for my sales team. Me and my guys are in the living room talking sports. The wives are in the kitchen cooking - where are you?”

I was asked what was the least amount of money I could live on.

At a startup cannabis company, for an executive position, I was asked, "Are you a consumer?"

I answered that I wasn't. Unfortunately, I didn't get the job.

About the Author

I’m James, Cofounder of Final Draft Resumes. I’ve been in the career consulting space for 13 years, and before that, I was a recruiter for AECOM.

I’ve helped thousands of job seekers, from industries like software engineering, IT, sales, marketing, manufacturing, and more generate job opportunities through well-written resumes that translate unique backgrounds into coherent narratives.

If you’re struggling with your resume for whatever reason, reach out - I just might be able to help!

If you’re more of a DIY person, then check out Resumatic, my free-to-try resume builder.