Recruitment agents: curse or blessing?

So I have been searching for work in the last little while.  Up until today, the only interviews I had were with recruitment agents.   More specifically, they were with three agencies specializing in recruiting accounting professionals.

It works like this:  they bring you in and give you a psuedo-interview.  They create the impression that part of their job is to find you a job.  That's only partially true. 

While you do figure a lot in their overall commission, the agens exists to serve the employer.  The employer is the one who pays their bills. 

And while the more you make means the more they will make, an agent will not hesitate to sell you short to make a quick buck.    Not only does the employer pay you, but he must pay a cut on top. That is often the reason why you start at a smaller pay rate because the employer is looking to cut the cost of bringing you on.

One problem that appears to be surfacing is that agents are overtaking a majority of online job postings such that at times, it is almost impossible not to get hired without one.

Another issue is this:  you may be subject to a lot more scrutiny when you get the job because there is a premium to be paid on you.  There is usually less pressure when you come in by yourself. 

Bottom line is this:  the agent is not your friend.  Use them with caution.  Try to get a job by yourself but if you absolutely must, then go with agents.