- Sylvie G.
- Friday, April 10, 2020
“America can count on the U.S. staffing industry to help source and deploy talent whenever and wherever it’s needed most during the COVID-19 pandemic. The demand for this talent is growing almost exponentially with each passing day.” – Richard Wahlquist, President and Chief Executive Officer of the American Staffing Association (ASA)
Over 16 million people have found work through staffing agencies in the U.S. each year. Job seekers get the work they need and businesses gain access to talent and flexible workforce solutions.
Here is everything you need to know about staffing agencies and how to leverage their resources to successfully find employment.
UNDERSTANDING STAFFING AGENCIES
What are staffing agencies?
They are organizations that matches companies and job candidates. When you register with a staffing agency, you have the potential to make connections with multiple hiring managers looking to find the right people for their specific open positions.
How to choose a staffing agency best for you?
Research the various agencies as they are not all the same. You want to be able to establish a good relationship with a recruiter. It is important to form a collaborative partnership with someone who can help you achieve your employment goals base on your skills and abilities.
How to register with an agency?
Most companies have you submit an application and résumé on their website. Then, the recruiters will review your documents, perhaps ask for you to take a skills test, and then, schedule a phone or online interview. It is important to effectively share your employment experience, work habits, career objectives and workplace culture preference. This will enhance your mutually beneficial relationship. The better they get to know you, the better they can match your skill set with a potential employer.
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BENEFITS TO USING A STAFFING AGENCY TO OBTAIN WORK
(temporary, temp-to-hire, or contract work)
- Access to broad sectors of employment such as: Office-clerical and administrative; Professional-Management; Industirial; Healthcare Engineering, IT and Scientific
- Personal recruiter represents you to their prospective clients, the employers
- Save time and get access to jobs and companies that might not be posted on-line
- Opportunity to supplement ones income
- Offers flexibility and work experience
- Provides cash flow while seeking permanent job
- Helps one transition when changing careers
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HELPFUL TIPS FROM LOCAL RECRUITERS
- Be open to the possibilities offered. Research and find out all the options. There will be temp-to-hire, temporary full and part-time positions and contract work for a limited period of time. Think of it as getting your foot in the door. You never know where an opportunity will lead and you can enhance your present connections. It is also a way to build up your references.
- Enhance your cash flow. Whether you are unemployed or employed seeking to supplement your present income, it will be a positive monetary contribution to your present situation.
- Expand your skills and abilities. You can improve your technology skills, learn to network within your new work environment, find a mentor, and most importantly—stay productive and optimistic.
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COLUMBIA STAFFING AGENCIES
Partnering with us to share valuable, empowering information. Agencies listed alphabetically.
AppleOne Employment Services – Office Administration, varied experience levels. AppleOne has created a guide that will help you journey through today’s ever changing hiring process. The techniques in the Navigating the Hiring Process workbook, forms and sample scripts are designed to help you present yourself to employers. Start here today! Navigating the Hiring Process Knowledge Center
Carolina Industrial Staffing – Production- Basic production machinist; all shifts; Temp-to-Hire; Must have own transportation - Employers Not on a bus line; can’t apply with cell phones; High School Diploma preferred however experienced based; E-verify must have picture ID and birth certificate, voter registration OR social security card
DP Professionals Inc.- IT positions – Contracts are10 months average and can convert to permanent; 90% year long positions with built in renewals - 3-5 year projects; Fully benefited. **Note – largest clients in the area have gone remote. Many have stress tested their systems and are doing really well and are on-boarding more remote access as they can.
There are employment opportunities.
Greatest need at this time is temporary employment not benefited 3-6 months. DP setting up virtual training programs for new employees. DP also helps to guide jobseekers to other agencies who can better benefit from their specific skill set.
Find Great People – Primarily a professional staffing firm. Office Positions: clerical, Administrative, finance, sales, marketing and human resources. Manufacturing on the operations side: Procurement, logistics, management production/line, Office staffing executive management and technology. Temp, temp-to-hire and direct hire.
Tip when submitting application/résumés:
Apply to positions which you are qualified for and put the user name you created for the application on your résumé; In your profile, bullet point your abilities and skills to demonstrate you are qualified to do the work; Show if you are able to work remotely and have had previous experience in this area—not required however, you will want to be prepared to answer questions showing you understand how to work virtually.
Hire Dynamics – Warehouse and food production – Employment openings increased by 30%. Weekly hours average 36 hours a week, however not consistent. However, great jobs for supplemental income, flexible work hours – 12 hour shifts. Stocking boxes on conveyor belts (25lbs-30lbs). Forklift drivers. Hire Dynamics represent 15 different companies covering —Columbia, Rockhill, Newberry.
Kelly Services – The employment landscape is going to change. More jobs will become virtual. New industries will emerge, and new skill sets will be needed. A few areas that we have seen some job increases are in the logistics, distribution and manufacturing sectors. Especially in food, beverage, health products / durable medical equipment and drug sectors. There have also been an increase in customer care centers (remote) to support client hotlines.
In regards to Kelly Education, the K-12 practice, it is definitely an interesting time. Most of Kelly’s Substitute Teachers are not being utilized by the school districts since they moved to virtual learning. **However, recent partnership with Moonlighting has been formed to assist substitute teachers with potential tutoring opportunities due to the virtual learning requirements.
For additional Kelly Services tips and guidance:
- Jobs and COVID: What you need to know
- Don’t have access to a computer – use your phone
- Tips for successful video conferencing
- How to find an employer that offers flexible work arrangements
ProLogistix –Specializing in manufacturing and logistics (warehouse). Represents 30+ companies in Newberry, Orangeburg, and Fairfield County. Hiring online with computers, no phone access. Increase in general warehouse positions: unloading belts, loading trucks and palleting products. Education level requirements vary.
Recruiting Solutions – Light industrial part-time, skilled manufacturing, office professionals and IT; Temp-to-hire, some part-time however mostly full-time. Can fill out on-line application with computer or by phone. Recruiters offer “grace” for those applying via smartphone and understand formatting may be a challenge.
Robert Half – Hiring NOW Customer Service, 50 temporary positions; Virtual remote work- process virtual orders and shipments; Interviews using both phone and FaceTime or Skype. Service positions for manufacturing and logistics; data entry up to executive assistance and human resources; finance, bookkeepers, technology desktop support. Recruiter’s advice – “Be open minded to any opportunity, modified hours so you can generate income to keep paying necessary expenses.”
Snelling Staffing Services – General office positions, professional and IT. Direct- hire, temporary, or contract-to-hire. **Snelling Staffing is offering FREE Microsoft Testing and Tutoring, as well as FREE reviews once résumé is completed. Applications are reviewed and jobseekers contacted within 48 hours. Please allow this much time before attempting to follow-up. They work hard to match individual skill set and experience to the requirements of the possible job. You only have to apply once even if you are interested in multiple work opportunities. Proud to work with veterans.
Spherion – In- demand food processing (**fresh products!!), manufacturing, logistics, supply chain, scheduling, call centers, non-clinical support personnel, and engineers. Plus, there has been an increase in accounting/finance opportunities with many being remote jobs.
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ADDITIONAL STAFFING AGENCY INFORMATION
American Staffing Association (ASA) – The voice of the U.S. staffing, recruiting, and workforce solutions industry. ASA and its state affiliates advance the interests of the industry across all sectors through advocacy research, education, and the promotion of high standards of legal, ethical and professional practices.
You will be able to access Fact Sheets & Analysis, staffing Industry statistics by state, Sector profiles, Turnover and Tenure and ASA Temporary help wage tool.