Questions to Ask An Employment Agency

Questions to Ask An Employment Agency

Landing a new job can feel like a high-stakes game of chance. But working with the right employment agency levels the playing field. An employment agency acts like your personal career coach, matching you to their openings that fit your interests, skills and salary needs.

Before you trust anyone to represent you, you’ll want to ask them some important questions. Asking smart questions upfront prevents surprises down the road. Read on for examples of good questions to ask an employment agency when choosing the perfect partner for your job search.

Q1: What Types of Positions Do You Specialize In?

Some employment agencies work in all industries. Specialized agencies focus on particular industries like fintech, artificial intelligence, civil-structural consultancies, healthcare, etc.

• If you’re seeking a niche role, choose an agency well-versed in that area. Their connections and understanding of your target job titles will aid your search.
• If your background spans multiple disciplines, an employment agency that covers an industry may better suit your varied experience.

Ask recruiters about the types of companies they partner with as well. Do they work mostly with startups and small businesses? Or global multi-national corporations? Getting a feel for their client network will indicate if they can realistically connect you with your target position.

Q2: How Many Placements Do They Make Per Month or Per Year?

High performer agencies place hundreds of candidates annually. The volume indicates they likely have the resources and relationships to find you the right match.

Probe this number over the past two years. Growth shows the agency is building momentum and expanding capabilities either within a client account or industry.

Also clarify if placements are for contract, temp-to-hire, or permanent roles. If your goal is a full-time job, you’ll want an agency focused on full-time/perm positions.

Q3: What’s The Average Time To Placement?

This is a great question to ask and will vary if the placement is full-time/perm or contract-to-hire. Typically when a company contracts with an employment agency for direct-hire/full-time positions, the company needs to complete their due diligence through their own hiring process. This process can involve many rounds interviews and technical screenings. In this case, the time to placement can take a few weeks to complete.

However, if the position is for a contract-only, or a contract-to-hire assignment, then the hiring teams can take a chance on someone knowing they can let them go and replace with another candidate since they are a contingent contractor.

Q4: What’s the Process After I Send My Resume?

Understanding next steps sets expectations around timing and roles the agency will present.

• Will they screen you via phone or video first?
• How long until they present your profile/CV to potential employers?
• Will they share company names/details upfront or not until interviews are scheduled?
• Will you work with one main recruiter or several on a team?

Getting the play-by-play equips you to plan and partner effectively. It also shows how responsive the agency will be in keeping you updated throughout the process.

Q5: How Does Your Pre-Screening Process Work?

Before submitting your application anywhere, the recruiter should thoroughly vet your abilities and aspirations. That ensures placements give you the best shot at offers.

Ask how they’ll assess your technical competencies, soft skills, salary requirements, geographic preferences, remote/hybrid/in-office preferences, etc. Do they use any kind of skills validation tests?

Q6: What Sets Your Agency Apart?

With so many agencies to pick from, why should you choose this one? Maybe they have strong networks in your target industry. Perhaps they offer interview coaching or resume help. Or maybe they are the “it agency” that is placing lots of people.

See what unique value-adds they bring beyond basic matching services. If the answer is “nothing”, that’s a red flag. Consider options that give you an edge.

Q7: Why Should I Choose Your Agency?

This is a great question to ask an employment agency. You want to get a sense of their confidence and ability to help you find a job. You want to partner with someone that has active jobs available or can quickly get your resume in front of hiring managers. Ask them to be honest about their recent performance and outlook with their clients.

Q8: Can You Provide Candidate References?

Speaking to past candidates gives helpful insight into the agency’s process and performance. This one may seem a little awkward, so reach out to their references on LinkedIn and ask them about their experience working with your employment agency.