The need for construction professionals across Florida has never been higher, and the simple reality is that there just aren’t enough skilled professionals to fill every available job, so the industry has lots of positions that must be filled immediately. Despite that fact, construction professionals sometimes have trouble connecting with their next job.
How can you find the job you want and launch your career forward? The answer actually isn’t combing the classified ads from your local paper anymore. Instead, it’s working with a staffing agency to find a job that fits your skills and experience.
What Is a Staffing Agency?
Staffing agencies are sometimes called recruiting firms. They’re organizations that match companies looking for employees with candidates who have the skills to fill those jobs. While staffing agencies work in a variety of different sectors, some specialize in placing skilled labor professionals with the companies that need them most.
Why Work With a Staffing Agency?
There are a number of benefits to working with a staffing agency that you may not realize. First, it’s free. Companies actually pay staffing agencies to find jobs, so you’ll never be charged a fee to work with a team of professional recruiters. More than that, though, when you sign up to work through an agency, they’ll spend some time getting to know you and what you’re best at. Then they do the job searching for you.
While you can typically search their internal skilled trade jobs boards after you’ve signed up, they’ll let you know when an opening comes up that’s perfect for you. The jobs range from part-time, short-term work to full-time gigs that will have you busy for weeks on end. Maybe the most important benefit of working with a staffing agency, though, is that they give you feedback on your applications, your resume, and even interview advice. This can help you land the perfect job once you’ve found it.
How Do You Find Construction Staffing Agencies?
Connecting with a Florida skilled trade staffing agency is actually easier than you think. Before you do anything else, though, you’ll want to spend some time thinking about what you want. The construction industry is a diverse place, and you likely have lots of goals. Take the time to define your goals and the kind of work that you’re most interested in.
Know (in advance) whether you need flexible hours because of your family or if you need a job in a specific part of town because of your family. You’ll also want to help define what makes you a great hire before you talk to anyone else. You have a great set of skills and maybe even fantastic certifications that any employer would appreciate. Understanding what sells you as a potential employee is key before you begin working with a staffing agency so you can articulate those qualities to your recruiter.
After you’ve spent some time defining who you are and what you want, it’s time to begin searching for the right team to help you land a perfect job. Do a bit of research about construction staffing agencies that are local to you. There are some big national names in staffing agencies out there, but choosing a local company is always going to be the right fit because they’re more likely to take the time to get to know you and what you can do so that when the right job comes along, you’ll have the opportunity to truly succeed.
You’ll also want to choose a specialized staffing agency that works specifically with tradespeople like you. There are a number of different kinds of staffing agencies out there. Some specialize in office work, others in IT work, and still others in skilled labor. Choose one that has lots of different construction companies with whom they work so that you’ll have plenty of opportunities at your fingertips.
The only next step you’ll need to take is to register. Many have you submit your initial resume and your cover letter, along with a copy of any certifications you may have from a trade school. From there, they can help you polish your documentation and prepare for interviews.
Once you begin working with a staffing agency, you’ll want to respond as quickly as possible about open positions. Most jobs that come through a staffing agency need to be filled as soon as possible, so you don’t want to miss that perfect opportunity. Once your recruiter finds a good match, they’ll set up the interview for you and even help you negotiate your pay rate and any other terms that need to be set up.
In the event your recruiter isn’t finding any jobs for you quickly, stay engaged. Ask your recruiter what you can do to ensure you get a placement as quickly as possible and stay marketable. Often staffing agency team members have lots of helpful advice that will ensure you land your next position quickly.
