If employment agencies were subsidised by the government would they put more effort into finding the unemployed work.?

Government funding would reduce the need for them to help people to find work. In most cases, the recruiter is paid a "finder's fee" or placement bonus for each person that they find, and can place to start working for one of their clients. They don't get paid well unless they perform, and if they don't place at least a certain minimum number of people, they are often out looking for a job themselves. Therefore, when you work with a recruiter, it is best to work with only one person per company, instead of whoever posted the ad. Also, if you are only using help wanted ads, or online job boards, you're wasting your efforts.

Less than 5% of the jobs are ever posted online. Many of those jobs are seen by thousands of people, and many of them probably applied along with you for those positions. Of those, less than 10 will be selected for interviews, and usually only one will be selected (who is willing to work for the lowest possible wage).

Blasting your resume out using tools like resume rabbit may seem interesting, and get your resume out there - it will not necessarily land you an interview, or job quickly. In fact, you may ruin your chances of finding a job that will last - while increasing the visibility for contract labor, which may help for a few months, and rarely pay benefits or paid time off for holidays, sick time or vacation; most also don't pay health insurance.

Sign up with a few recruiters, but keep your eyes pealed, for new opportunities. Target the potential employers who may hire for your skills and experience. Connect with others in the industry and field on linked in - to hep increase your visibility. Polish your profile so it stands out, and more recruiters are likely to see you, and become interested. LinkedIn is a professional or business connection version of Facebook, and very good for many positions that you might want to work within.

Remember to have your resume reviewed, and tune/tweak it for the roles you are looking for. If you haven't updated it in a few years, the content and format may be out of date, and may be one reason you're not getting called for interviews. Remember, your resume is a sales tool, designed for exactly one purpose - to land the interview. LinkedIn is an extension of that tool - should not contain the same works, but may be more - and provide more detail - since keywords are often used to search - and hopefully find you, your word choices are important. Your resume also needs to be interesting - not just provide the boring job requirements, but also show how you stand out among others who may have similar skills. It should answer the key question - why should I hire you over those other 1000+ applicants?

Employment agencies already get paid to place people. So it is in their best interest to find people jobs. So subsidizing them isn't going to help your situation. Have they even gotten you any interviews? If so, ask them for feedback on what went wrong. Listen to what they have to say as constructive and don't get defensive.

If you're not even getting interviews, you may find yourself needing to upgrade your skills or learn a new skill. If you were recently laid off, see if you can get assistance with training or school.

It depends on the agency and some agencies have better reputation whether they are government funded or not.

why is it teh employment agencies responsibility? there has to be companies with job openings and the people looking for jobs have to have thr right qualifications. if you have no college degree or other skilled training, no employment agency is going to be able to help you - they don;t handle unskilled labor you are competing with tons of other unskilled workers

No. A government subsidy would make them LESS effective.

Right now, the only way the agency gets paid is to actually find people jobs. A performance-based system usually gets the best results.

Many of the private head hunters make their money from the companies that they place with. Good people placed means more business for them. There are some government head hunters out there, they make their money regardless of what they do, or don't do.