Opinions on Creative Staffing Agencies?

[rtomio]

Just curious how everyone feels about creative staffing agencies such as; The Creative Group, Robert Half Technology, Artisan, Creative Circle, CyberCoders, etc.

I recently graduated from my undergrad and looking to become a junior developer. As I comb through different job sites, all these staffing agencies keep coming up. My first inclination is that I'd rather be an employee for an actual agency and not a staffing firm. But should I be open to these recruiting firms? What are the Pros and Cons to joining one? Specifically for a newbie out of college looking for a junior level position?

Thoughts?

Thanks!

[Noct]

Well, I have worked with these types of places and they have pros and cons really. The big pro is that you don't have to chase anyone down for money and you don't have to find the work yourself.

Other pros are that you can often get into companies that don't hire independents and get your foot in the door. I know at least 4 guys at my current job got in here through a staffing agency, proved themselves and then worked directly for the corporation when their staff contract ended. These same guys would have never been able to get in here were they simply independent contractors; the company typically doesn't hire those. I am told that is because if they hire someone through a staffing agency they do not have to handle any problems such as letting someone go. They simply call the staffing house and tell their contact that they no longer want that person working here and poof, that person disappears.

The major cons are that they generally take about a third of the money. I did some work for one a few years back where I started out getting paid around $20 an hour while they were charging around $33 an hour for me.

Outside of that, these places typically treat people as sub-contractors, so you generally won't get any benefits. Granted you wouldn't working for yourself either...

[Cota]

I have to totally agree with Noct. However, working with a staffing agency can help get your foot in the door and your name in the open.

[ASWC]

A little advice, never underprice yourself to get a job.

[maskedMan]

Different agencies have different reputations as well. You might want to do a bit of research on your local area to see in what regard the agencies in question are held by the people who've worked for them. Also, regional branches of national companies may have better or worse reputations than the parent company so keep that in mind as well.

When I first started on the job market, agencies weren't very helpful though. They were only interested in people with 2 years of experience or someone with at least one big project already behind them. Not exactly something that you have coming out of the gate. After you have something to show them though, it'll be hard to get them to leave you alone. :)

[rtomio]

Thanks for the replies everyone.

I guess it might be interesting to work for one of these agencies and work at a few places over the course of the year to get myself situated in a new city.

But if they want 2+ years of experience... well we'll see what happens I guess.

In regards to benefits; most of the agencies advertise the typical benefits. So I'm curious to see what they actually offer in that area.