Advice for Candidates Working with a Staffing/Recruitment Agency

I started my recruiting/staffing career 9 months ago.  Before I leaped into this world, I was in Business Development and Marketing, so staffing and recruiting was all new to me.  Over the past few months, I've spoke to people from all walks of life, every shape, color, size and personality one could imagine.  However, the people that stand out to me are those that take the time to really listen when I'm speaking to them, and those that are very 'known' within our organization, i.e. candidates who call in every week to say they are still looking for work. 

With that said, here a few pointers I would like to share with anyone who is looking for work and/or working with a staffing and/or recruitment firm:

1. Call in to your staffing agency every week (or email) and let your recruiter know you're still looking for work.  It's not thier job to hunt you down to find out if you're still available for employment.
2. Be available when they call you for jobs.  So many times I call prospective candidates for an open position and I receive thier voicemail. Jobs come in and need filled very quickly, we cannot wait for you to call us back -- we'll move on to the next qualified candidate.
3. If you're placed on an assigment (temporary or otherwise), show up.  Don't call off work unless it's absolutely an emergency.  My company, like most agencies have a system for tracking call offs, and tardiness.  Don't mess up your chances for employment because you have "a case of the Mondays" and don't feel like getting up.
4. Send an email or a card to your recruiter thanking them for their time.  For one thing, it makes you stand out from other candidates and two, it shows your appreciation for their time.  At my company, I don't make extra commission for helping someone find employment.  It's nice to be appreciated for your time.
5. Realize you are one of thousands of candidates I may speak to in a year.  If I do not remember your second cousin's wife's name, please forgive me.  With that said, you're important to me, but please do not forget that I'm helping ten other people that day (or more) find employment. 
6. Be patient.  Jobs will come.  Other recruiters/staffing professionals that I speak with tell me they have many, many more candidates waiting in the wings than they have jobs to fill.  That's common sense.  Realize we would place you on assignment if we have a job that fits your background and skill set.  But, remember point #1, above.  The squeakiest wheel often times gets the most attention. 
7. Follow company policies.  When you work with a staffing agency on a temporary or temp-to-hire basis, you are at the mercy of the policies set forth by your agency.  Every company is different, but read the company policy manual -- it will save you heartache in the future.