Tag Archives: staffing agency

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!

Need a Job? Seasonal Work Is Here

RET_005The 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.

How You Can Thrive in Today’s Changing Workforce

rise_contract_class_webFor millions of workers, the fixed schedule full-time 40 hour workweek is a thing of the past. Looking for greater flexibility and new opportunities, job seekers are turning away from the traditional employer-employee relationship and eight to five work day.

The number of temporary workers, independent contingent workers, and freelancers is increasing to record highs in the U.S., defying previous economic trends. A study from MBO partners, a support system for independent professionals, found that all U.S. independent workers totaled 17.7 million in 2013, a 10% increase from MBO’s first study in 2011. More than 24 million are forecasted to be independent by 2018.

In Canada, the change has not been as dramatic, but the number of temporary, independent contingent, and “casual” workers is increasing. Their share of the workforce increased by 1.1% from 2008 to 2013.

Why It’s Changing

Coming out of the Great Recession, temporary or independent work gave those who may have lost their jobs an opportunity to get back on their feet or overcome extreme hardships. It’s also given them an opportunity to prove themselves as valuable to an employer.

According to CareerBuilder, “42% of employers plan to hire temporary or contract workers” this year — an increase from 40% in 2013. And, the staffing industry is expected to grow by 6% in 2014 and 7% in 2015.

“Many businesses use temporary workers as a way to find great talent,” said Michael Kreiling, general manager for the Express Employment Professionals offices in Winona, MN; and Eau Claire, Medford, and Menomonie, Wisconsin. “The more you impress them the more opportunities they will create for you.”

Opportunities in the Changing Workforce

As Kathryn Dill with Forbes writes, “…for many, temporary work isn’t simply a means to an end — it can also be the end goal.” Check out Forbes fastest-growing temp jobs, based on data by CareerBuilder.

According to AOL Jobs, the highest paying temporary jobs range from $26.44 to $46.69 an hour.

In a white paper released by Express Employment Professionals, “America’s Changing Workforce and the Rise of the Contingent Employee,” job seekers pursue temporary work so they can either work when they want, they need a flexible work schedule, or they want to earn additional money for bills, leisure, or retirement. If you are looking for these types of opportunities, then temporary work may be an answer.

Advice from the Experts

Jessico L. Culo, owner of the Edmonton, Alberta Express office, recommends that workers with long-term temporary jobs build relationships with the people you work with and the firm that represents you while on assignment.

Ronnie Morris, who owns an Express office in Jackson, TN, advises, “Little things like being on time, being willing to work over-time, learning multiple jobs, adhering to company policy, and possessing a willingness to train others are important things that can distinguish you on the job and make you a more valuable employee.”

Working to Live

It’s clear that more workers are turning to temporary and independent contingent work. And if you’re looking for permanent work, temporary jobs often lead to full-time permanent employment.  Job seekers who are willing to take on different temporary jobs and make those jobs work for them will come out on top. To thrive, be open to learning new skills and show the company you are a fast learner. Be adventurous and take advantage of the changing workforce. You never know where it will take you.

“More and more, people are interested in working to live rather than living to work,” said Jim Britton, owner of the Express Employment Professionals office in Springfield, IL. “And the flexibility offered by connecting with a well-run staffing company can be very appealing and rewarding.”

If you’re a worker who is part of this changing workforce, please share how you enjoy your temporary job, independent contingent work, or freelance opportunities. Let us know in the comment section below.

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

How to Follow Up after an Interview with a Staffing Company

Staffing companies receive hundreds of applications and résumés each day from individuals looking for work. With so many job seekers vying for a staffing agency’s attention, it’s important you do what you can to assist staffing consultants in your job search. To increase your chances of landing a job, try these tips after interviewing with a staffing company to help you stay top of mind.

Call. First and foremost, staffing companies are there to help you find a job. Don’t be afraid to call after your interview to find out if there are any jobs available. Also, check with your staffing consultant to find out if they prefer a weekly or daily call for job inquiries.

Check. Depending on the staffing agency you choose, there may be certain guidelines to follow when inquiring about job openings. For example, some staffing companies may have a separate phone number for job opportunities, while others may post openings online. Check with your staffing consultant to ensure you know the process.

Update. If you have any changes to your personal information, résumé, job specifications, or qualifications, let your staffing consultant know so they can update your file. These changes could increase your chances of landing a job and help the staffing company market you to their clients.

Although finding you a job is their top priority, they can’t do it without your help. Stay in contact with your staffing agency by following these tips, and help the staffing company help land you the job you want.

3 Tips for Interviewing with a Staffing Company

When you interview with a prospective employer, you’re taught to put your best foot forward and present your best side. But what about when you go to a staffing company for help finding a job? Are you supposed to treat it like a real interview?

Interviewing with a staffing company is just like interviewing with any other potential employer. You must be prepared, professional, and informative.

Be Prepared. Before you go to an interview at a staffing agency, make sure your résumé and references are in order. If you’re looking for a job in a particular industry, make sure your résumé reflects that. Also, confirm that your contact information for your references, including phone numbers, job titles, and companies, are correct so your interviewer can quickly check references with your previous employers. You will make it easier for the staffing consultant to find you a job if you’re prepared for the interview with up-to-date and accurate information. 

Be Professional. Even though you aren’t interviewing to work at the staffing company, you still want to act and dress appropriately. Staffing consultants make their recommendations to hiring companies based on your résumé, demeanor, and experience. So, make sure to wear your best interview attire and act professional.

Be Informative. The one slight difference between interviewing with a staffing agency and interviewing with a potential employer is the kind of information you tell the interviewer. During an interview at a staffing agency, it is OK to talk about the kinds of jobs you are and are not interested in and what types of employers you might like to work for. You can speak a little more freely in a staffing interview, but remember, you still need to be professional. Too much information about your personal business, past employers, or mistakes in the past can be a bad thing and could even decrease your chances of finding a satisfying career.

Interviewing at a staffing company can be a great way to find a job, but you have to treat it like any other job opportunity. Being prepared, professional, and informative is essential in getting the most out of your staffing company interview experience. 

Have a question? Share it in the comments section.