Job Placement Agencies

[Maritime Q-Scout]

Hey guys,

I figured where better to seek advice than good ole CalgaryPuck.com.

I'm getting frustrated looking for work on in the East. I love it here, but there isn't much around.

One of my biggest strengths is, knowing where my weaknesses are. One of my weaknesses is actually looking for work, putting together an application. It's not that I'm not qualified, or am unconfident. Just when I'm looking I second guess everything. I figure a placement agency might be the best course of action for me looking. Once I get to an interview stage I'm fine.

Has anyone used a placement agency? Any recommendations? How do they work exactly? I would LOVE to live in a city like Calgary, Ottawa, or Montreal just to name a few.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated

Cheers,

MQS

[CaptainCrunch]

Originally Posted by Maritime Q-Scout

Hey guys,

I figured where better to seek advice than good ole CalgaryPuck.com.

I'm getting frustrated looking for work on in the East. I love it here, but there isn't much around.

One of my biggest strengths is, knowing where my weaknesses are. One of my weaknesses is actually looking for work, putting together an application. It's not that I'm not qualified, or am unconfident. Just when I'm looking I second guess everything. I figure a placement agency might be the best course of action for me looking. Once I get to an interview stage I'm fine.

Has anyone used a placement agency? Any recommendations? How do they work exactly? I would LOVE to live in a city like Calgary, Ottawa, or Montreal just to name a few.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated

Cheers,

MQS

I recently left Drake International which is one of the larger placement agencies out there, if your looking for specific contacts in the Calgary office for example I can certainly provide you with that information.

Basically all you have to do is put your resume together, and either submit it on line, or set up an appointment to go in and talk to a recruiter, they'll look at your resume, and what you want to do and your salary expections etc, and they'll try to match you up with one of thier clients. If they don't have a job that matches what you want, they'll either actively market you to thier client or put you on file so that your resume will kick up if a job matches your quals.

You don't get charged a cent.

I usually recommend that you register with more then one, depending on what your looking for there are also agencies that might exclusively deal with your skill set ie IT, engineering, construction etc.

Anyways, if you want to PM me with a list of questions or you want a list of contacts, feel free.

[Hemi-Cuda]

i'm also looking into this route as just trying to search through monster, workopolis, etc and applying online doesn't seem to be doing anything. are there any good IT focused employment agencies (full time) that anyone can recommend?

[CaptainCrunch]

Originally Posted by Hemi-Cuda

i'm also looking into this route as just trying to search through monster, workopolis, etc and applying online doesn't seem to be doing anything. are there any good IT focused employment agencies (full time) that anyone can recommend?

David Aplin and Associates (DAA)

Locke and Associates

Drake International

Thats a decent starting point.

[Biff]

Originally Posted by Hemi-Cuda

i'm also looking into this route as just trying to search through monster, workopolis, etc and applying online doesn't seem to be doing anything. are there any good IT focused employment agencies (full time) that anyone can recommend?

finney Taylor is also a major IT sourcing firm...but if you get MY new job I'll be somewhat peeved.

[Maritime Q-Scout]

Thanks guys, I'm gonna be away the next few days, but I'll defiantely be sending off a PM when I get home

[GreenTeaFrapp]

Placement agencies work pretty much like applying for a job except you've got a couple of extra rounds to go through to get the job.

For Ottawa if you want a close to complete list of all the new jobs in the city, subscribe to petersnewjobs.com. They offer a free two week trial to see how you like it.

[McG]

i would also recommend some of the "specialty agencies" as Captain Crunch was saying above.

some of the agencies specialize in subcontracting, others in permanent placement.

some with a larger reach in IT (as well as the ones mentioned) include Inteqna (part of Design Group), CNC Global, and SiSystems. You could also check Eagle or Stardot in Calgary.

I too would recommend getting in with a few head hunters...each of them also have their clients who will call that one recruiter first. just be careful so that when you are presented once...you are clear in case you get presented again.

the costs are all absorbed by the company doing the hiring...usually at a negotiated rate with the headhunter.

good luck!