ryan the temp from the officeWhen the October job loss numbers came out earlier this month, there was one particular change that interested us here at The Work Buzz more than any other: Temporary employment services, a sector that had steadily lost jobs in the beginning of the year, added 34,000 jobs. That’s more jobs than even health care added, which has remained strong and added jobs throughout the recession.

You might be thinking, “Why is this a good sign? I need permanent work!” or “Temping is for students and recent grads.” Yet, an upturn in temporary hiring is an indicator that other jobs may be soon to follow.

Coming out of an economic downturn, companies that are skittish to hire full-time workers for budget reasons but need additional hands for business purposes often start by bringing on temporary workers first.

While you can search online using keywords like “part-time” and “temporary,” you should also consider registering with any or all staffing firms that search for candidates with your expertise. Here are some reasons why:

  1. They’re free. Staffing firms make their money from the employers not the candidates. You shouldn’t have to plunk down a dime.
  2. Temp work is growing. 34,000 jobs were added in this sector last month which means staffing firm activity will be picking up and they’ll have more jobs to fill.
  3. The positions can be long-term. A common misconception job seekers have about staffing firms and the jobs they fill is that the positions last only a few weeks. Not so, many projects can last several months or even a year. 
  4. The work can lead to a full-time position. We’ve told you that a holiday position can lead to a full-time job; the same is true for work via a staffing firm. For example, if a company’s finances are more stable at the end of your contract or you prove too valuable to lose that temporary position could become permanent. 
  5. Staffing firms span multiple industries. Another misconception about staffing firms is that they only hire for administrative positions. Not so, they hire in all industries including health care, finance, marketing, IT, law and manufacturing.

Now you’re interested, aren’t you? Here is a list of just a few staffing firms looking for candidates and some of the hundreds of temporary, temp-to-hire and full-time job openings they have now.

Aegis Therapies
Specializes in: Rehabilitation therapies
Sample of current openings: Physical therapist, rehab program manager and coordinator, occupational therapist, speech language pathologist

Ajilon Professional Staffing
Specializes in: Accounting, finance, bookkeeping, corporate management, office support, law and legal support
Sample of current openings: Staffing manager, staff accountant, account manager, project assistant

The Creative Group
Specializes in: Creative, advertising, marketing, web and public relations
Sample of current openings: Communications coordinator, web developer, social network manager, director of marketing, art director

Kelly Services
Specializes in: Office services, accounting, engineering, information technology, law, science, marketing, creative services, light industrial, education and health care
Sample of current openings: Staffing supervisor, substitute teacher, outbound sales, sales representative, customer service and call center representative

Medical Staffing Network
Specializes in: Nursing and allied health professions
Sample of current openings: Registered nurse, licensed practical nurse, pharmacist, licensed vocational nurse, respiratory therapist, certified nursing assistant

Office Team
Specializes in: Administrative positions including administrative assistance, data entry, office management, reception staff and customer service
Sample of current openings: Staffing manager, administrative assistant, receptionist, customer service representative

PDS Technical Services
Specializes in: Aerospace, automotive, civil/architectural, defense/military, electronics, energy, government, medical, software and telecommunications
Sample of current openings: Technical writer, data analyst, product design engineer, retail sales consultant, systems engineer

Robert Half Finance & Accounting
Specializes in: Accounting, finance, credit and collections, bookkeeping, payroll and taxation
Sample of current openings: Staff accountants (various levels and specialties), tax and audit staff, controller, collections specialist

Spherion Staffing Services
Specializes in: Technology, finance, accounting, marketing, law, engineering, manufacturing, sales, human resources and administrative
Sample of current openings: Business development manager, customer service representative, forklift operator, draftsman, assembly worker, sorting clerk

Volt
Specializes in: IT, engineering, accounting, administrative, call center, human resources, technical and creative Communication, and manufacturing
Sample of current openings: Business analyst, senior systems engineer, software design, help desk analyst, network support engineer

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