What is the general protocol for contacting (or not contacting) staffing agencies/recruiters after you submit an application or demonstrate interest in their services?

Hi all,

It's been a few years since I've worked with a staffing agency, so I'm not sure what if any protocols/etiquette there are in 2019 that differ from my previous experience working with them. I know that it depends on the agency, but I'm looking to solicit some opinions on what's appropriate.

I'm looking to relocate in the next several months to a year (but am open to relocating immediately for the right role), so am contacting staffing agencies (well, applying for jobs there that are good fits) in the areas I'm interested in relocating to in order to get moving. These are 2 metros I've lived in before: one that I grew up in, and one that I went to college in, so despite being located across the country currently, I can list a valid address in their service areas I plan on relocating to. I also have a very flexible work arrangement currently, so there are windows in which I can arrange to be present at interviews even though I live quite a ways away. I make all of this clear in my cover letters and application materials.

(I should note I'm not looking for a new job solely to relocate; there are turnover issues at my current org that have me concerned about my future there, the position has never been a great fit for me, and there are limited prospects for moving in to a better fit there; I'm also a step or two below where I feel I could be at this juncture in my career, and am unlikely to have the opportunity to move up to what I'm ready for at my current org)

Last week, I applied to jobs listed at about 3-4 agencies, including 2 I've worked at previously for temp placements (but which I've lost touch with over the years and at which the recruiters I personally worked with have moved on). I haven't heard back from them yet. In times past, I had some success following up with a recruiter within a couple of days of sending over my resume. I also feel like I heard back pretty quickly from a recruiter in times past, whereas now it seems to be taking longer.

Is it generally a faux pas to follow up with recruiters after applying to get on their radar? Are there other ways to get in touch with a recruiter that are more effective than dumping my resume into their websites' proverbial black holes? It was suggested to me a while ago to contact recruiters on LinkedIn, have any of you found this to be more effective than going through a staffing agency?

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