As an entry-level employee, degree in hand, you may have trouble getting past the gates of corporate HR departments. However, here is where the staffing recruiter may shine. Frequently, the large, prestigious companies of the Fortune 1000 hire staffing services to manage their recruiting process. Frequently, learning which firm partners with a particular large company to automate its staffing process is your ticket to getting into that great company you've been dreaming about.

For example, Donna, a graphics design major, wishes to get her first job at a large insurance firm working on a web site redesign which she has learned is going on there. She begins by applying through the corporate HR department, but receives a reply stating that they are seeking someone with at least three years of hands-on experience. Although Donna hasn't got the requisite experience, she has worked in an internship at a small insurance company and feels sure that her experience was being overlooked. She learns through a friend that a local staffing service manages the insurance company's temporary positions and, after some searching, manages to get in to speak with one of the recruiters there.

She shows her portfolio of work and indicates that she is looking for an entry-level opportunity. To Donna's surprise, the recruiter shows a great deal of enthusiasm because their client company, the insurance firm, has just indicated that one of the members of the web design project team is going to be out sick for about a month and a replacement would be needed to keep up with the work….

If Donna plays her cards right, and impresses the client, that one-month assignment might easily blossom into a full-time job opportunity.

Here are ten suggestions for preparing yourself to interview with a staffing recruiter:

1. Staffing recruiters can offer more than just “temporary” jobs. Adjust your attitude before setting foot in the recruiter's office, or you could be looking at a long wait for an interview callback.

2. Dress for success. Although the recruiter may not be the hiring manager, he or she is the person who can decide whether your resume gets seen or positioned well. It's important to look your best and to project a professional image.

3. Bring along an extra resume, a resume in electronic format on disk, three or more professional references, a skill summary (especially if you are in a technical field like information technology), and examples of your work. You may not be asked for all of these items, but it's important to come prepared.

4. Know something about the company or kind of company where you'd like to work. Showing that you did your homework before visiting a recruiter will help you to be memorable.

5. Know something about the staffing firm where you are interviewing. Do they have a good reputation in town? What does their web site say about them?

6. Expect to spend anywhere from thirty minutes to over an hour with the recruiter. Plan to arrive early and be prepared to stay late. It is just as important to be punctual when working with a recruiter as it is with any hiring manager. Be sure to feed that parking meter enough quarters!

7. After speaking to the recruiter, if you feel that he or she will be a valuable resource, be ready to offer referrals. By helping the recruiter to do business, you will make yourself more memorable.

8. Create excitement about your background by sharing details about projects and past successes. The stories you tell may be passed along to the hiring manager. But be sensitive to the recruiter's attention. If the recruiter's attention appears to be wandering, you may want to ask a question like, “Can I offer you more detail about this project, or is there something else you'd like to cover?”

9. Be yourself.

10. Have fun. Interviews are not an inoperable condition. Nor should they feel like a police interrogation. There's no rule against asking questions about your recruiter's background, understanding of the job market and current opportunities. What's more, asking such questions may help you to establish a better working relationship and rapport with the recruiter.

Once you've had your initial meeting, keep a log of the recruiters you prefer to work with and follow up with them once a week, either by telephone or e-mail. Remember, staffing recruiters, although they may claim otherwise, are primarily looking to help their client companies. Calling them angrily to demand

The above is an excerpt from The Last Job Search Guide You'll Ever Need: How to Find and Get the Job or Internship of Your Dreams, which is available for sale for $19.85 in our bookstore or $27.00 at Amazon.com but for free to those who subscriber to our free career newsletter. This hot new book contains job search secrets of the most experienced, most knowledgeable and most respected career experts. Learn career planning, job hunting tools and tactics, interviewing, cover letter and resume writing (lots of samples!), networking, and how to find an internship. Written by 149 career experts. To receive a free copy, subscribe to our free career newsletter.

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