You put in lots of time and hard work to make it through trade school. Congratulations! The next step forward is to find the perfect job. Making that leap, though, is a bit bigger than you ever imagined, and it can be tough to find the perfect job. After all, while trade school gave you the skills you needed to move on, it didn’t make you a qualified tradesperson, and it certainly didn’t guarantee you a job. Instead, it gives you a key skillset that you can use to land an amazing job, and the best way to do that is to work with a staffing agency.
When most people think of getting a job after trade school, they don’t always think about working with a staffing agency, but that’s a mistake. Staffing agencies are the quickest, easiest way to land a job you’ll really love. Staffing agencies provide free services that help streamline your job search. You have the opportunity to pair with a skilled job recruiter who will work to learn more about you, your goals, and what you do really well, then they’ll help you find a job you truly love.
They also give you instant access to lots of different employers and jobs that aren’t always listed on traditional job-seeking websites. More than that, though, they’ll help you manage interviews and clean up your resume so you’ll be impressed the very first time you sit down with a potential employer.
As you search for the right staffing agency to help you find jobs after trade school, you’ll want to be a bit picky. First, only look for teams that offer free services. Staffing agencies should never charge you for their time and efforts. Second, you’ll want to look for a local team that is specifically connecting you with locally focused employers.
Local staffing agencies have a better understanding of what things look like right here in Florida, so they’re more likely to be able to get you a better position. Larger national firms may bounce you around from recruiter to recruiter, and you’ll never be able to form a one-on-one relationship with anyone at the agency, and that could lead to a problem when it comes to actually find the job you want most.
You may also want to look for a staffing agency that is focused on your industry. After all, you went to trade school to specialize, right? Shouldn’t you choose a staffing agency that is just as specialized? You’ll want a firm that focuses on the trades more than anything else. Some even offer specific Florida skilled trade job boards just for you to browse! Most reputable firms specialize in one type of work or another, so look for one that is looking for skilled job seekers specifically in your industry.
Beyond choosing the right staffing agency, there are a number of other things you can do to help yourself prepare for your career. It begins by setting a realistic time frame. You may have picked up an easy part-time job right out of high school, but it’s rare for that ideal opportunity to come your way right out of trade school. Instead, it takes many graduates nearly six months to find the ideal job, so be prepared to look for a bit.
While you’re on the hunt for a job, make sure you build a personal budget and get ready to manage any loans you took out during trade school. Most student loans from trade school have a small grace period, so you might contact your loan company to learn more about your repayment terms so you can add that into your budget.
As you wait for your staffing agency to connect you with the right job, don’t hesitate to take on some internships and part-time work in your field. That will not only give you some income while you look for that perfect job, but it will also show the companies that will eventually hire you that you have great skills they can put to work in a full-time capacity. While internships don’t always offer you the benefit of a paycheck, they do often lead to great letters of recommendation or even full-time jobs.
The last thing you’ll want to do is build that resume. Usually, your staffing agency is available to help you create the perfect resume. You’ll want to include the work experience that’s relevant to your trade, any training or certifications you already have, and your work experience. You’ll also want to put down the reference contact information from a few people who know you well.
The space between graduating from trade school and starting your new career can be a bit scary, but with the right staffing agency on your side, you’ll find the position of your dreams!