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Understand the business
Who the agency actually works for, how it makes money, and why that shapes everything that happens to you.
How staffing agencies actually work → 02Before you sign anything
The questions that surface what agencies do not volunteer — who employs you, what you are paid, what happens if it ends.
Questions to ask a recruiter → 03Spot a bad one
Any agency asking you to pay a fee has told you what it is. The rest of the warning signs are less obvious.
Red flags worth walking away over →Applying & Interviews
All 3 guides →Agency screening is fast and works differently from applying to an employer directly. This is how to get through it.
Agency interview versus employer interview
Learn how agency interviews differ from client interviews, what recruiters assess, and how to navigate pay, availability, and f…
Read →Background checks and screening
Learn what background checks, drug tests, and screenings involve, when they happen, consent rules, error disputes, and where to…
Read →Writing a resume for agency work
Learn how to craft a résumé that passes staffing agency filters, highlights short‑term work, and showcases certifications for f…
Read →How Staffing Works
All 4 guides →How the industry is structured, who pays whom, and what the different arrangements actually commit you to.
How to choose a staffing agency
Learn how to evaluate staffing agencies, verify their credentials, read reviews, and know what to expect in a first meeting.
Read →How staffing agencies actually work
Learn how staffing agencies earn money, who they represent, and what they handle for you as a job seeker.
Read →Where agency work is most common
Explore which industries rely most on staffing agencies, how seasonality affects job availability, and what you need to know as…
Read →Temp, temp-to-hire and direct hire
Clear guide to temp, temp‑to‑hire, and direct‑hire arrangements, covering employment, pay, benefits, timelines, and fees.
Read →Pay, Tax & Contracts
All 2 guides →Bill rates, markup, W-2 versus 1099, and the paperwork that determines what protection you actually have.
Pay rate, bill rate and markup
Learn why staffing agencies bill more than they pay you, what the spread covers, and how to negotiate a fair pay rate.
Read →W-2 through an agency versus 1099
Learn the practical differences between W‑2 agency employment and 1099 contract work, including tax handling, benefits, and how…
Read →Working With an Agency
All 7 guides →Once you are on the books: what to ask, what your rights generally are, and what to do when an assignment goes wrong.
When an assignment ends early
Learn why staffing assignments end early, what you’re owed, how to chase benefits, and when to suspect the agency rather than t…
Read →Your first day on assignment
Practical steps to prepare for your first day on a staffing assignment, from confirming details to handling mismatched work.
Read →Turning a temp role into a permanent one
Learn practical steps to turn a temp assignment into a permanent job, including timing, fees, and who to talk to.
Read →Questions to ask a recruiter
Key questions to ask a recruiter before signing any agreement, covering employer, pay, schedule, assignment length, conversion,…
Read →Red flags worth walking away over
Identify red flags when dealing with staffing agencies and learn how to protect yourself from scams and improper practices.
Read →What temp workers should know
Learn what temporary workers need to know about employer identity, wages, safety, and anti‑discrimination protections, plus whe…
Read →Questions people actually ask
Taken from the guides themselves — each links to the page that answers it.
One thing worth knowing before you register anywhere
A legitimate staffing agency is paid by the employer, never by you. If an agency asks you for money — for placement, training, equipment or a “processing fee” — that is the moment to walk away, whatever the explanation sounds like.