Staffing companies put people to work. In fact, 3 million people go to work through America’s staffing companies during an average week. It’s a big industry whose 25,000 members have been doing meaningful work for job seekers and businesses since the 1940s.
Despite its size and the value it offers, the staffing industry is often misunderstood by the very people it can help.
That’s why we set out to bust 5 common myths about what it’s like to work for a staffing company.
Myth #1: I must pay a fee to the staffing company when they find me a job.
Job seekers NEVER pay a fee to the staffing company. If you’re looking for a job, a staffing company can help you find one. That’s the service these organizations offer to job seekers. Someone DOES pay for the service – it’s employers. They rely on staffing companies to do what they are expert at — recruiting and hiring employees who fit the employers’ requirements — in exchange for a fee.
Myth #2: Staffing companies are for desperate people.
Smart people work with staffing companies. They know that it’s hard work to find a job, even today when it feels like every business in town is hiring. Sorting through opportunities, finding a good fit, getting your application in front of the right person, and scheduling interviews is time-consuming. Getting turned down or never hearing back about a job can be demoralizing. Smart people let staffing companies do the hard work. They also know that working with a staffing company can fill in a gap between jobs when the bills have to be paid but the perfect job hasn’t come up yet.
Myth #3: Only poorly run businesses use staffing companies to fill their jobs.
Hiring people is hard work for employers, too. Many of the country’s biggest, most well-known brands partner with staffing companies to take the recruiting burden off their teams and place it with staffing industry experts. In fact, it’s estimated that up to 90% of American companies partner with a staffing agency. In addition, business leaders know they can trust staffing companies to stay up to date on employment rules and regulations, process payroll accurately, and handle day-to-day HR issues. Working with a staffing company is what well-run businesses do.
Myth #4: Recruiters aren’t going to work very hard for me once I get placed in a job.
The main job of a staffing company recruiter is putting people to work and keeping them working. It’s what they do for their people all day, every day. When one assignment ends, recruiters are standing by, ready with the next position. While you’re on the job, your recruiter is your go-to source for handling questions, issues, pay and benefits, and ensuring success on the job. Recruiters are your advocate, agent, and resource.
Myth #5: Staffing company jobs are only temporary.
“Temp” is not a four-letter word! Some people choose to work in temporary or part-time positions because it gives them great flexibility. In fact, according to the American Staffing Association, 1 in 5 staffing company employees cite flexibility as a reason for choosing temporary work. They also know that staffing company jobs are not always temporary. These jobs can be a gateway to full-time employment. Many staffing company jobs are what’s called “temp-to-contract” meaning that after a period, the employee is hired permanently by the business they’ve been working for as a temp. Here’s another statistic to bust the “only temporary” myth: 73% of staffing company employees work full time. That’s comparable to the overall workforce at 74%.
How did we do? We hope you’ve learned a bit about the staffing industry and that we’ve cleared up some misperceptions.
Want to learn more? The hard-working staffing specialists (recruiters) at United Talent Staffing would love to talk to you. No fee. No contracts. No hassles. What have you got to lose?
Find a United Talent Staffing location near you and contact us today! www.utalent.com