Before I graduated college I had no real knowledge about what a temp agency was, but now that I have been to almost every one in  the city of San Francisco, I consider myself somewhat of an expert. These can be great resources when trying to find a job, but there are some important things you should  know.

Temp and Job agencies work with companies who usually pay them commission to fill job openings within their companies and so they will advertise the jobs through them and then you can come in and they will evaluate you and your resume for the positions that they are trying to fill.

There are some key things you must know and consider before going to a temp agency:

Find a good match: Make sure that the place you are going to work with is the right type of angency for you. There are many agencies that deal  specifically with companies and or industries, so make sure that the temp agency you go to works with the field you are trying to get into.

Consider your attire: Even though it is not exactly a formal interview, you still need to dress appropriately considering the person who is trying to get you a job will take you more seriously and be more inclined to help you if you are as professional as can be.

Be Honest: Many Job agencies get commission from getting you a job, but it is very important to be honest with the recruiter, otherwise they will just place you in any job that you are qualified for. Make sure you give them a list of jobs you will absolutely not do, so then they won’t even consider you for those positions.

Here are some places I have been where I had a positive experience and good results:

Smith Hampton & Devlin, LLC Placement Specialists: This company got me an awesome job at a really fun advertising firm, they are very adament about finding you the perfect match even if it means more work for them. You also meet with all 3 owners when you are there so they each can get a feel for you and your goals in case an opportunity comes up they can all reach out to find you the perfect placement.

Innovations: The woman that worked with me here (Anne) was amazing and brutally honest about everything from what I was wearing to how to carry and present myself for the interviews she got me. Although I didn’t end up getting the position that she set me up with I still feel I learned a lot. She was always available and called to check up after each interview.

The Job Shop: This is a much smaller less corporate type agency where you are required to take a lengthy computer test (which is kind of a pain) but then it helps them get a better idea of your computer related ability. The recruiter here really helped me tweak my resume according to the field I was trying to get into, and this actually made a huge difference of the amount of interviews I got after that.

Most importantly remember to keep an open mind, getting a job you really want could take a lifetime, but by reaching out to experts who are connected and can offer advice and help is always a good idea!