Finding a job can feel like a downright impossible task right about now, especially if you’re in a field where you know the competition is stiff. However, that doesn’t mean that you’re going to be unemployed forever – it just means that you may need to change the way you’re searching for employment, at least in the short-term.

One of the things many successful job hunters today are figuring out is that sending out resumes and knocking on doors just isn’t enough anymore. That’s when they turn to staffing agencies to help them find the work they need.

If you’re ready to get to work and need a little help finding the right fit, use these three tips for working with at staffing agencies.

1. Perfect Your Resume Before Submitting

One of the top tips for working with at staffing agencies that you’ll hear over and over from the pros is that you need to take your time and scrutinize your resume before submitting. If you do and it’s still not perfect, a skilled recruiter will make suggestions to help you, but when you’re looking for work, you likely want to avoid that extra step whenever possible.

Go online and look at sample resumes or check out a book from the library. Make sure yours is perfect and includes all of relevant experience in an easy-to-read and professional format.

2. Be Honest with Your Staffing Agent

Honesty is the best policy when it comes to working with staffing agencies. Be honest on your resume and let your staffing agent know what your skills are. You’ll also want to let them know if you’re still sending out resumes and to whom you’re submitting, especially if you work in a particularly specialized field.

3. Don’t Pay Fees

Some fly-by-night staffing agencies charge fees for placement, but those are firms you don’t want to work with. Chances are they’re just trying to cash in and won’t actually place you.

Reputable staffing agencies charge employers a fee when they hire you, not job-seekers who haven’t even received an offer for employment yet.