Tag Archives: national staffing week

National Staffing Employee Week: What Was Your First Job?

All year long, American workers are doing incredible things. Whether you’re a builder, welder, construction worker, office worker, researcher, doctor, lawyer, healthcare worker, social worker, retail salesperson, cashier, receptionist, or any other of the wonderful types of workers in this country, you have the potential to do something great.

At this time every year, from Sept. 18 – 24, the American Staffing Association “celebrates the contributions of millions of individuals across the U.S. employed staffing firms.”  This celebration is known as National Staffing Employee Week.

Since Movin’ On Up is a blog focused on job seekers, we wanted to spotlight workers this week who have had incredible careers that started with one seemingly simple job. For some it was working in the fast food industry, for others it was in a busy office, and still others were construction workers or train operators. But those great jobs led them to the wonderful careers they have now.

We’ll kick things off with Kathy Hefton, Client Marketing Manager of Express Employment Professionals.

“I actually got my first job out of college from a temporary service.  I was placed at a local company as a data entry clerk. It was my first office job, so it built the foundation for the rest of my office career.

I learned the ins and outs of Microsoft Office because of my great supervisor. She encouraged me to seek out training, and made sure that I got it.

In the end, every job I had led to the next one, even though I didn’t always know what that next one was. I learned about computers and spreadsheets in that first office job and used those skills to get another office job. At that second job, I worked closely with hotels and decided that was where my future was. Fast forward 20 years or so, and now I’m at Express.

I guess what I’m trying to say is that you don’t always know where your current job will take you. So make sure to excel and learn as much as possible. “

Have a first job story of your own to share? Let us know in the comments below or post on Facebook with the hashtag #MyFirstJob.

 

 

The Benefits of Being a Staffing Employee

us_staffingweek_2015_benefits_of_temporary_work_webNational Employee Staffing Week in the United States, and it’s a great time to look at the impact temporary and contract employees have on the industry.

According to the American Staffing Association (ASA), more than three million temporary and contract employees work for America’s staffing companies every week. Throughout the course of a year, that number is more than 14 million.

Of those employees, 76% work full time and nine out of 10 staffing employees believe that staffing work makes them more employable.

Potential for Permanent Placement
One of the major benefits of working with a staffing company is the potential of finding a permanent job. While a lot of job assignments may start out as temporary or part-time work, they can lead to a full-time, permanent job.

In fact, the ASA reports that 49% of staffing employees believe temporary work is a way to land a permanent job. Furthermore, one-third of workers were offered a permanent job by a client where they worked on an assignment.

Temporary Work Is Flexible
In addition to the possibility of finding permanent employment, working through a staffing firm has many benefits, including flexibility and the opportunity to expand your skills and experience.

According to the ASA: “While permanent employment is a top priority for most staffing employees, about one in five cite scheduling flexibility as a key reason for choosing temporary and contact work.”

Many Occupations Available
Staffing companies often represent many different business types, so there’s opportunity for you to try out a new career or gain valuable skills in a booming industry. The ASA reports that staffing employees work in virtually all sectors, including:

  • Industrial – 37%
  • Office (Clerical and Administrative) – 28%
  • Professional/Managerial – 13%
  • Engineering, Information Technology, and Scientific – 13%
  • Health Care – 9%

As we celebrate National Staffing Employee Week, we want to know what you enjoy about working in the temporary and contract staffing industry. Share with us in the comment section below!

This Week is National Staffing Employee Week

NSEW_graphicNational Staffing Employee Week is Sept. 15-21 and we want to show our appreciation for the 3 million men and women who make up the temporary and contract workforce in the United States every week, and especially the more than 400,000 people who work for Express every year.

You might think that only a small percentage of U.S. workers are temporary or contract workers. But, that’s not the case. In fact, according to the American Staffing Association (ASA), 11 million workers are hired by U.S. staffing firms during the course of a year.

The Benefits of Being a Temporary Worker
Being employed by a staffing company can provide flexibility that otherwise might not be available in an average full- or part-time position. In a recent study by ASA, it was reported that 90% of staffing employees said temporary or contract work made them more employable. And, according to the study, having a flexible work schedule is one of the primary reasons people use a temporary staffing firm. With this flexibility comes an alleviation of stress and an increase in career satisfaction that may not be possible in a traditional job. Even better news – while working a temporary job, Express employees average 37 hours a week, and 75% of Express employees go on to full-time jobs.

So, whether you’re employed by a staffing firm or considering pursuing a new career path, use this week to take pride in the integral part you play in not only furthering your career, but also building a stronger economy. Express Employment Professionals salutes your hard work and dedication.

Movin’ On Up is brought to you by Express Employment Professionals.