Placement Agencies/Executive Search Firms/Recruiters & Job Hotlines

Placement agencies, executive search firms and recruiters serve both employers and candidates. The task is to find a perfect match. The firm identifies and screens candidates, verifies references, and arranges interviews between the employer and the candidate. These types of firms are sometimes referred to as "head-hunters."

Pros:

  • Extremely personal approach
  • Large network of employers

Cons:

  • They work for and answer to their clients (companies), not necessarily the candidates
  • This approach fills less than 15% of all jobs
  • Not many entry level jobs for recent college graduates

Hints:

Beware of the contracts! Make sure you understand the fee and process completely. Avoid exclusivity contracts, and check out the agency. Ask for referrals.

Sources: Yellow Pages, Newspaper Advertisements, and Websites. A list of U.S. recruiters can be obtained from:

Directory of Executive Recruiters by Consultant News;
Templeton Road, Fitzwilliam, NH 03447

Job Hot Lines

Some organizations maintain 24-hour lines with recorded messages stating current openings or where the job openings are posted. The message usually includes a brief job description, requirements, salary ranges and closing dates for applications.

Note: Most organizations now put job openings on websites instead of job hot lines.

Pros:

  • Current Listings
  • Accessible

Cons:

  • Available to a large number of applicants (in other words, more competition)

Hints:

Check for listings of company/organization phone numbers in the white pages, or call personnel offices. Some numbers and locations are listed below:


City of St. Paul
Office of Human Resources
25 West 4th Street, Room 230
St. Paul, MN 55102
651/266-6500 HOTLINE: 651/266-6502

Most openings are for clerk typists, grounds workers, truck drivers, and accounting clerks.

Hennepin County Human Resources
A-400 Government Center
300 South 6th Street (Between 3rd & 4th Avenue)
Minneapolis, MN 55487-0040
612/348-2163 HOTLINE: 612/348-4698

The largest departments are social services, administration, management services, finance, library, court and law enforcement, corrections, public works, and public protection.

Minnesota Department of Employee Relations (State of Minnesota)
658 Cedar Street
St. Paul, MN 55155
651/296-2616 HELPLINE: 651/296-6700


Ramsey County Personnel Department
430 Government Center West
50 West Kellogg Blvd
St. Paul, MN 55102
651/266-2700 HOTLINE: 651/266-2666

Possible job titles include administration/planning, accounting, budgeting, and information systems.



University of Minnesota
2-100/2-180 Hanson Hall
1925 4th Street South
Minneapolis, MN 55455

Business Career Center
(612)-624-0011
(612)-625-8840 fax