Plenty of help, with no fees whatsoever.
Job Journey is powered by Express Employment Professionals, a global, award-winning staffing company. Every day they help lots of folks like you get hired.
But what exactly is a staffing company? If they aren’t charging you anything to get you a job, how do they make money? And what is it like to work with them instead of working with a company directly?
We’ve got the answers to those questions; check ‘em out below!
Staffing companies have something for everyone.
College students have a lot to worry about—classes, homework, quizzes, tests, extracurricular activities, and of course, trying to maintain some semblance of a social life.
Combine all of that with looking for your first post-university job, and life can get hectic.
Luckily, Express Employment Professionals is here to help. We’re a staffing company, which means it’s our mission to put people to work. If you haven’t considered a staffing company before, here are a few reasons why you should start now.
Movin’ On Up is powered by Express Employment Professionals, a staffing company with 35 years of helping people find jobs. That’s why you can trust us to know what we’re talking about.
You may have noticed that we sometimes post “Ask a Recruiter” blogs with comments from professional staffing consultants. These are the people who work with job seekers and new hires daily. We’ve covered everything from impressing a recruiter to highlighting volunteerism on a resume.
We want to tailor these blogs to your specific questions and concerns. This month’s poll is a single open-ended question: What questions do you have for a recruiter?
Let us know by answering our poll question!
All comments are completely anonymous, so feel free to ask anything you want. We’ll cover your responses in a Poll Results article next month, and then use that information in our blogs going forward.
National 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.
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.
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.
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.
