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The Benefits of Being a Staffing Employee

By Job Journey on Friday, October 2, 2015

us_staffingweek_2015_benefits_of_temporary_work_web National 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!

Career Options

Need a Job? Seasonal Work Is Here

By Job Journey on Monday, September 14, 2015

The holiday season may still seem far off, but now is the time to start looking for work if you plan to find a seasonal job this year. Every year, the holiday season helps put millions of people to work in jobs that may begin as temporary employment, but often turn into permanent employment.

There are many benefits to finding a seasonal job. In addition to the extra income around the holidays, seasonal jobs are also a great way to add experience to your resume and network with people who may be able to help your career in the future. Even though your job may start out as a temporary one, it could lead to permanent, full-time employment.

Take Your Job Seriously
According to Bob Funk, CEO of Express Employment Professionals, “Employers will look at their temporary employees this holiday season to see which ones merit a full-time, permanent position.”

If you want to better your odds of landing a permanent job after the holidays, remember to treat your seasonal job like an extended interview. Take advantage of the opportunity to show you’re hard-working, committed, and have a positive attitude. When you go above and beyond at your temporary job, you better your chances of being noticed by potential employers.

Don’t Limit Your Options
Holiday jobs may seem like they’re limited to Christmas or other winter holidays, but don’t forget about the entire holiday season. Halloween, for example, can be an avenue for temporary work because of large costume superstores that open for the season. Additionally, party stores may need extra help around New Year’s Eve.

Start Now
Stop by any department store and you’re likely to see holiday items already stocked on the shelves. If businesses are already thinking about the holidays, you should be too. Brainstorm places you would like to apply for seasonal work and get started on applications. Don’t wait until November or December, because most employers want their seasonal staff trained and working before the shopping rush begins.

Call a Staffing Agency
When companies want to hire multiple new employees for the holiday season, they often go to a staffing company for assistance. Since staffing providers are usually better equipped to find, screen, and hire large numbers of workers, they can be a great resource for you. Do your homework before you apply and make sure the staffing company is a reputable one, like Express Employment Professionals.

Make Sure You’re Prepared
In a recent poll on Movin’ On Up, we asked if our readers plan on looking for seasonal work this year. An astonishing 84% of responders said that they do plan to look for seasonal work. Since so many people want to find work this holiday season, you need to make sure you’re prepared to beat the competition. Clean up your resume, brush up on your interview skills, make a list of references, research the companies you want to work for, and know the skills that employers want to see. When you’re prepared for a job opportunity, you stand a better chance of landing the job.

Have you worked a seasonal job? Did your seasonal job turn into a permanent one? Share your tips with us in the comments section below!

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

Career Options

3 Ways Staffing Companies Elevate Your Job Search

By Job Journey on Monday, September 8, 2014

The American Staffing Association (ASA) recently unveiled the results of the 2014 ASA Staffing Employee Survey, which surveyed current and former temporary and contract employees. The results are a clear indicator that temporary staffing is a valuable stepping stone to help get the career you want.

In fact, the survey revealed that 99% of temporary and contract employees who want permanent jobs achieve their goal. Nearly all respondents indicated that finding permanent work was important to them, and 49% said that finding a permanent job was their number one reason for working in the staffing industry. So, what’s so great about working for a staffing company like Express Employment Professionals? When survey respondents gave their primary reason for using a staffing company, it came down to the following three motives.

1. You may get a permanent job.
Many people associate staffing companies with temporary or contract positions because employees typically start an assignment on a temporary basis to ensure they’re a good fit for the job. But, that doesn’t mean the job will always be temporary. If the company likes your work, you may be offered a permanent position with them. Temporary work also gives you the opportunity to test out a company and see if you fit well with the job and culture before becoming tied to it. And at staffing companies like Express, some job assignments even allow you to start a permanent position with a company right away.

Not all temporary work is part time, either. The ASA survey also found that temporary and contract employees are almost as likely to work full time as all others in the labor force. And, of staffing employees who land permanent jobs, 94% of them work full time.

2. You gain work experience.
According to the ASA survey, 90% of staffing employees say that temporary or contract work makes them more employable. When you take a temporary assignment through a staffing company, you receive on-the-job training you may not be able to find elsewhere. If you’re looking to advance your career, taking on a temporary job can help you learn new skills and add valuable experience to your resume. The more experience you add, the more you may impress potential employers. And, when you’re employed through a staffing company, you have the opportunity to try out many different kinds of jobs. You can work in a variety of industries and on numerous projects, giving you a unique opportunity to experience many different career paths.

3. You learn new skills.
To learn a new skill, you have to dive in and give it a try. Working with a staffing company allows you to do just that. Staffing companies have countless opportunities in a number of fields, and taking a job through a company like Express gives you the chance to learn new skills in industries you might not have previously considered. If you’re currently unemployed, working in a temporary position allows you to build and strengthen your resume while looking for something more long term. Learning new skills also helps you add powerful words to your resume that appeal to hiring managers. Words like results, administered, analyzed, researched, coached, scheduled, assembled, inspected, and maintained are all eye-catchers for interviewers, and can find a place on your resume when you learn new skills on a temporary assignment.

And, here’s some more good news! According to the survey, staffing companies are great places to work. In fact, nine out of 10 temporary and contract workers reported satisfaction with their staffing companies.

“The results of the landmark 2014 ASA Staffing Employee Survey verify that temporary and contract work is an effective bridge to permanent employment,” said Richard Wahlquist, ASA president and chief executive officer. According to Wahlquist, companies like Express “are proud to make a real difference in the lives of so many individuals.”

Did you start in a temporary position before landing a permanent one? Tell us your story in the comments section below.

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

At Work Career Options The Daily Grind The Job Search Uncategorized

Maximize Your Seasonal Job

By leidson on Friday, December 27, 2013

Have you ever wondered if your seasonal job could potentially lead to a full-time opportunity? If you take the right steps, there’s a great chance that it can. Throughout the holidays, managers pay close attention to holiday help. They look to see which temporary employees have the characteristics and skills of full-time and long-term employees. Many seasonal employees may plan to work for only a few weeks, but some people desire to keep their position long after Christmas. If you’re interested in staying on full-time or working at the same place again next year, here are a few ideas to keep in mind as your seasonal work wraps up.

Impress the Boss
If you desire to keep your seasonal job, it’s important to show your boss you mean business. In some sense, a seasonal job is like an extended interview. So if you want to become a full-time employee and work more than just during the holiday season, impress your boss with your actions and work ethic. It’s also okay to let your manager know about your wish to work full-time. Let them know how much you’re enjoying yourself. Managers like to know their employees are excited about coming to work every day. Tell your boss you would be able to help during other peak times and ask when they expect that to be so you can follow up.

Be Personable
Attitude matters. Employers appreciate employees who get along with customers and co-workers. Customer service is an important quality to have. With the high traffic and busyness of the holidays, people can be rude and lack manners, especially when they’re shopping through crowds and looking for last-minute gifts. To handle not-to-so nice people, it’s necessary for businesses to have employees who show great customer service and holiday cheer.

Stay Positive
Keep in mind, your manager may not be able to hire you full-time at the end of the season, but he or she will likely be willing to write a letter of recommendation, which can help you find employment at another company.Get the most out of your experience. Update your resume with your recent assignment; connect with your new contacts on LinkedIn. Let your manager know if you are looking for full-time work and if they can keep you in mind if they hear of anything. Follow up in a few months with an update on your current employment status.

Do you have tips on how to keep a holiday job? Share with us in the comments section below.

At Work Career Advancement

How to Take Full Advantage of Your Staffing Agency

By Jared Cole on Saturday, June 23, 2012

When you’re between jobs, it can feel like you’re walking in an endless desert. It’s like you’ve been there forever and you can’t do anything else but walk aimlessly. The truth is, your job search doesn’t have to be that way. Many job seekers and workers have discovered the benefits of working for a staffing agency.

Access to temporary work full-time jobs aren’t the only things staffing agencies have to offer. More than just providing work, they can help you develop a stronger job search outside of employment experience. Here are some lesser-known benefits of staffing agencies that you can take advantage of.

Résumé Review
One of the biggest perks of working with a staffing agency is your direct access to résumé experts. Your recruiter sees a large number of résumés every day, so they are often times well versed in the dos and don’ts of effective writing. This perk is often overlooked because workers are under the impression that since they are already working, their résumé doesn’t need work.

All résumés need to be constantly updated. Who better than your recruiter to help you best outline and describe your temporary work experience in a manner that’s appealing to employers? If you’re interested in tightening or critiquing your résumé, talk to your recruiter. It’s free to schedule a time aside for you to go over the ins and outs of résumé writing. If your agency can’t, they can refer you to someone who can.

Resource Libraries
It’s important for staffing agencies to have employee satisfaction, retention, morale, and motivation. That’s why many agencies have meetings and lectures focused on helping you plan, succeed, and grow in your career. These gatherings let you discuss and learn about job related issues from experts and peers, which help build a better working relationship between the recruiter and you.

Most staffing agencies have resources full of useful information on interviewing, workplace etiquette, cover letter writing, and networking. When you develop stronger job skills, you’ll be better enabled to achieve your career goals, and your staffing firm will have a more qualified worker to place for its clients.

Software Training
Sometimes you have to take several placement tests before you can schedule an interview with a recruiter. Depending on what field and pay rate you want to be in, or where you want to go in your career, you might be tested on more than just basic use of word processors. Some clerical positions require more than a basic knowledge of Microsoft Office, and with the program frequently changing and updating, it can be difficult to keep up with it on your own.

If you want to enhance your office software skills, most agencies allow you to come in during your days off to train yourself. Recruiters will be impressed seeing you take the initiative to educate yourself and improve your skills. Employers like to see candidates get closer to their career goals by improving skills from programs offered by staffing firms.

While there may be some misconception s about staffing agencies, there are several opportunities for you to learn and grow as a job seeker. What are some ways you’ve taken advantage of programs offered by staffing firms?

National Staffing Week Teamwork

Associate Spotlight: Erin Wharton

By Jared Cole on Wednesday, February 8, 2012

When looking for a job, it’s easy to overlook the benefits of working for a staffing agency. In fact, companies like Express Employment Professionals can help change lives in the midst of economic uncertainty and provide job opportunities for some of the most hardworking individuals around.

Express takes pride in the accomplishments of those individuals who come to us for work. Without the skills and talents of our associates who provide what companies are looking for, Express wouldn’t be what it is today.

To help recognize outstanding associates and their dedication to Express and the companies they work for, we would like to showcase select associates each month on Movin’ On Up. It’s important to give credit where credit is due, and Express would like to share stories of our associates as an inspiration to you while you strive to achieve professional success.

Erin Wharton

Erin found her current job through the South Indianapolis office in Greenwood, Ind. She came to Express after a rough job search. She spent 14 years with a previous employer in a less-than-constructive work environment. She left in hopes of finding a better place to work, but ended up facing a fiercely competitive job market, sending countless résumés and submitting numerous job applications for weeks with no response.

Fearing the worst, she noticed a job posting for an administrative position through Express. She had no previous experience dealing with staffing companies like Express and was a little cautious about calling to apply, but ended up emailing her résumé and application anyway. Within a couple of days, she was called by Michelle Bright from the Greenwood office for an interview.

“During the phone call, Michelle made me feel comfortable, confident, and helped ease what little fear I had.” Erin said.

When Erin came to the Express office for an interview, her anxiety returned until she met someone in the waiting room who had been working for Express for a few years. The woman told Erin that Express was “great to work with,” and “you’re working with the best.” When Erin sat down for the interview with Express, she was almost immediately told that there was a perfect position for her. After interviewing with McAllister Power on a Friday morning, she was offered a job to start the next Monday.

“Working with Express was by far the best choice I have made. I have even referred people to them. You don’t know how good it feels to be happy, enjoy getting up in the morning and coming to work. I look forward to the next day and what it is going to bring. Every day is something new. The employees here at MacAllister are absolutely wonderful,” Erin said.

We’re excited to have Erin as a part of our Express family. If you haven’t already considered looking into working with a staffing agency like Express, give it a try. You could find the same success that Erin did.

“I owe my happiness and my life to Michelle for matching me with the perfect company. I give everyone at Express my sincere gratitude!”