Finding a new job can often take way longer than anticipated. I remember in high school tirelessly handing out as many as a dozen resumes on a weekly basis to little or no avail. Finding work on our own is becoming more and more of a disappointing reality, even for graduates of post-secondary education.

If you find yourself in the far-too-common situation where you thought that degree or diploma you worked so hard to obtain would instantly have employers lining up to give you a job and it didn't work out, you're not alone. Data from Statistics Canada showed a 7.4 per cent unemployment rate nationwide in March 2012; that rate is nearly doubled (14.7 per cent) for Canadian youth aged 15 to 24 — an age bracket that includes many recent college and university grads. Many graduates are slapped in the face with the harsh reality that jobs aren't just waiting to be graced by their presence.

If you're having a tough time landing a job, grad or not, there is hope. One alternative could be finding work through a staffing agency. Staffing agencies are "middlemen" that may help you find work. Jobs can vary from office positions to manufacturing work, but most agencies offer temporary positions or work on an as-needed basis.

Brian Malcott is an employment consultant with Fanshawe's Community Employment Service. He said that although finding work through a staffing agency is a good way to get your foot in the door, you become obligated to work for the agency. "Because you work for the staffing agency, you don't work necessarily for the company. The staffing agency is the one who hires you on a contract, and you're subject to their policy rules and procedures, not the company that you're necessarily working for," he said.

"In my opinion, I feel it's better to connect personally with the companies, than going through a staffing agency, because you can develop a more long-term relationship with the company if you want to stay there for a while."

Dianne Evans is the branch manager for Kelly Services (380 Wellington St.). She said that the agency offers a list of jobs such as data entry, office administration, accounting, manufacturing and call centre work. Evans suggested that registering with an employment agency could help provide a stepping-stone into the working world. "They know we're tapped into a diverse client base. Sometimes, depending on the position, it's better for (job seekers) to network on their own and go door to door to specific companies. But on the other hand, we are connected with a lot of companies within London and area that may give them a foot in the door."

Debbie Durand of Adecco (355 Wellington St.), said students and graduates can benefit from using a staffing agency. "Students can choose positions that would work around their school schedules. For example, we staff for some large call centres that have weekend and evening shifts. We staff several different positions for various companies; students may have the opportunity to find a part-time position through Adecco that is in their area of study." Adecco specializes in jobs that include work in production facilities, call centres and administrative positions.

When it comes to training, your placement will be in charge of familiarizing you with the job, but the agency also has access to many other training courses available to upgrade any work-related skills.