Like temp agencies, staffing agencies focus on short-term employment opportunities. But if you are looking to find the right fit with a prospective employer rather than find any job that is hiring, a staffing agency may be the better option. Employers use temp agencies when they have an urgent need for employees; they use staffing companies when they want to find the right person for the job.

Once you begin working with a staffing company, you will see they offer a much wider range of employment opportunities that stretch beyond short-term work. Continue reading to learn more about staffing agencies and whether they are right for you.

Thousands of highly ranked employers pay staffing agencies to help them find the right candidate for the job.

It isn’t always about the ‘right now,’ but rather, the ‘right fit.’ If you are looking for an opportunity to get your foot in the door, a staffing agency may be able to help.

While a staffing company may offer short-term work, it usually has several other types of employment opportunities. These are the most common types of employment opportunities offered by staffing companies:

• Temp-to-hire – This type of work consists of a “trial” period, which generally lasts between 60 and 90 days. If all goes well during the trial period, the individual will transition into a full-time employee.

• Temporary – These positions do not promise employment beyond the agreed-upon work term.

• Direct hire – A direct-hire refers to an employee getting hired immediately for a permanent position.

• Contract – These positions last for a set period of time (generally one year or less) and are usually reserved for specialty career roles. 

Because staffing agencies tend to focus on matching an employer with the right job candidate, the interview process is typically longer and more in-depth compared to the process for temp agencies.

Job candidates may even need to undergo a second interview to analyze their specific skill set and determine their best work qualities.