Dear Career Advisor

I registered with an employment agency more than six months ago, and to date I have not been placed in a job. Each time I call them I am told that, although they have lots of jobs, they have not found a good match for me. I am now wondering if I have wasted my time and money. Is it really worth it to use an employment agency?

Yours truly,

Shelly B

Dear Shelly:

Dear Shelly:

Employment or recruiting agencies do play a significant role in the job market as they serve as a bridge between job seekers and job providers. Very often, however, their role is misunderstood, resulting in their function being relegated to apparent uselessness.

As a job seeker you should be clear as to the scope of the services you might reasonably expect of the recruiter. If this is not clarified, misunderstanding and disappointment will ensue.

Do not totally rely on your recruiter to be any of the following:

Career Counsellor — It is your responsibility to figure out what it is you want to do, and the skills and competencies you have that will enable you to do so.

Career Coach — Over and above the information you provide them in the application process they will not be asking you probing questions or helping you to figure out what job fields you want to enter. You are expected to come to the table with those issues already clarified.

Sales Professional — They are not your PR or marketing agents. Their role is to match and find alignment between your skills and the employer’s needs.

Notwithstanding the above, there are many advantages to be derived from utilising the services of a recruiting firm. A few are mentioned below:

• Knowledge of the job market — Excellent recruiters usually have a pulse on the dynamics of the job market, especially if they are recruiting for specialised areas.

• Dynamic network — Their dynamic network provides excellent knowledge of the opportunities which guide selection from their talent pool.

• Present you as candidate, not applicant — When they shortlist you for an opportunity you have the advantage of being presented as a candidate not an applicant.

• Aids in resource management — Personal job search can consume a vast amount of your time and resources.

• Targeted job search — They target appropriate vacancies and desired industries to which they submit your application.

• Support and guidance — Recruiters often provide services such as cover letter and résumé review, interview preparation, and job skills assessment.

• Manage your job search — An excellent agency may reduce your burden by helping you organise and structure your job search strategies.

• Provide feedback —Excellent agencies provide you with constructive feedback, especially following an unsuccessful interview.

Job search using a recruiting agency is not a one-size-fits-all solution, neither should it be viewed as a jigsaw puzzle in which you are only able to fit into one specific position. You have to demonstrate to the recruiter that you are well-rounded and can easily adapt to varying employer needs. I suggest you request a face-to-face (in-person or electronic) meeting with your recruiter to see if you both have the same understanding of your interests, competencies and job interests. Once you have settled on those issues it might be best to continue with them until you find the job that suits you.

All the best.

Career Advisor

Carolyn Marie Smith is assistant vice-president of Student Affairs at Northern Caribbean University in Mandeville, Manchester. Submit your questions to her at

careeradvisor@ncu.edu.jm