5 Myths Scaring You Away From Employment Agencies

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Many people may be apprehensive about applying to work for an employment agency because they have preconceived notions about them.  Here are five myths we’re busting to show how employment agencies are great for your career:

Myth #1: Employment agencies = temporary work.
Truth:  This varies client-to-client and is not always the case.  Yes, many assignments can be temporary, but this may include temp-to-perm situations where after a contracted period the employee is hired on permanently by the client.  In addition, some positions are direct-hire where a staffing agency has agreed to find a suitable applicant for a fee, and that employee is immediately placed on the client’s payroll.

Myth #2: The jobs available probably aren’t for me.
Truth: Depending on the agency, their specialty, and client demands, the positions available can vary widely.  You might see ads for accounting managers, billing clerks, biomedical engineers, catering staff, computer specialists, data entry clerks, IT professionals, nurses, legal secretaries, sales representatives, warehouse workers and everything else in-between.  Don’t discount an agency just because you don’t think they have jobs that fit your background.  You never know–by the end of the week they might have something that would be a perfect fit for you!

Myth #3: Temp jobs make you look bad to other employers.
Truth:  Working with the same agency over and over actually demonstrates the opposite.  While having a list of temporary assignments may seem to make it difficult to show a consistent work history to other employers, if you completed all assignments within the same agency, use it as a strength when talking with future hiring managers.  Why else would an agency keep calling you for assignments if you weren’t hardworking, dependable, and capable?

Myth #4: Temp jobs have no benefits.
Truth: Many agencies like us actually do offer benefits to our temporary employees.  Always ask what benefits an agency offers.  Just because you’re in a temporary assignment doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy the benefits a typical employer would offer. Some temporary opportunities even offer the opportunity to make commission.

Myth #5: Temp jobs are going away.
Truth:  The industry is experiencing significant growth.  According to the Bureau of Labor’s Current Employment Statistics report from October, between July and October, 18,000 jobs were added per month whereas previous months showed only 5,000 jobs being added per month.

While there are many factors at play, temp jobs are in part growing because companies hit hard by the economy want to start hiring, but are afraid to take the risk.  Enter in a staffing company which handles an employees’ insurance, workers comp, etc. during the length of the contract.

As employment agencies continue to increase their hiring, keep them in mind as you job search!   Already tried a temp agency?  Please feel free to share any personal experiences below!

Why are skilled labor jobs so important?

There is a growing employment gap, especially in New York, between our workers and the jobs available.  Careers focused on technical and vocational skills like plumbing, welding, etc. are growing, while others, especially those relying on 4 year college degrees, are remaining flat or dying.

According to the Center for Economic Growth in Albany…

• In 1956, 60% of jobs were unskilled, 20% skilled and 5% professional.
• In 2005, 5% of jobs were unskilled, 75% skilled and 5% professional.

With more students going to college than ever before, this leaves “middle-skill” level jobs (those earning on average $50,000) with no appropriately qualified candidates.  In an age of 9% unemployment, a mismatch between the candidates and available jobs spells disaster!

So what’s the fix?  A fundamental change of thought in how students approach education.  Yes, it would be great for everyone to get a four year or higher degree, but the need for 3.5 billion MBA students just isn’t there.  However, there is a need for millions of healthcare workers for instance, like RNs and home health aides, the latter of which don’t need a bachelor’s degree for certification (and PS, we’re one of the employers struggling to fill those positions because the candidates aren’t there).

More emphasis needs to given on the benefits a 2 year degree or trade school offer to middle and high school kids.  Not only are students choosing that pathway still receiving a solid education, they’re saving money on college loans, and many times, learning hands-on skills through workshops and externships that aren’t required by all four-year programs, making them more marketable to employers after graduation.

Skilled labor is here to stay, and until this workforce gap is addressed and the importance and benefits of these types of jobs are given the emphasis they deserve, we will continue to face an employment crisis.

Agree?  Disagree?  What are your thoughts on the future of skilled labor?

More Food for Thought:

http://money.cnn.com/galleries/2011/news/economy/1109/gallery.hard_to_fill_jobs/index.html

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/07/05/labor-shortages-tech-mining-natural-resources_n_890734.html

http://money.cnn.com/2011/05/18/news/economy/mike_rowe_dirty_jobs/?section=money_latest

Stafkings is a Featured Employer on Community Focus!

We’re so excited to be a featured employer on Community Focus!  Listen in this coming Sunday, November 13th, as our GM Robin Eccleston talks jobs on Community Focus!  

COMMUNITY FOCUS

A WEEKLY 30 MINUTE PUBLIC AFFAIRS PROGRAM FEATURING LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS THAT DEAL WITH COMMUNITY PROGRAMS AND EVENTS

HOSTED BY DOUG MOSHER

 Community Focus can be heard weekly:

Sundays at 7:20a:  WMXW 103.3 FM and live stream on (www.mix1033fm.com)

Sundays at 7a:   WKGB 92.5FM and live stream on (www.925kgbfm.com) 

Sundays at 7:30a: WMRV STAR 105.7FM and live stream on (www.star1057fm.com)

Sundays at 7a: WBBI The Bear 107.5 FM and live stream on (www.1075thebear.com)

Sundays at 7a:  WINR 680 AM (www.680winr.com )

Sundays at 9a:  WENE THE TEAM 1430 AM (www.1430theteam.com  )

Why Work for a Staffing Company?

….why NOT?

One of the greatest advantages temp positions can offer an applicant is a foot in the door when she/he might otherwise be locked out in the cold.

It’s a win-win for companies too.  Instead of taking the time, effort, and frankly, the risk of putting you on their own payroll, a company may choose a staffing company to manage a new hire.  During the length of the contract, the client can evaluate the hire, and, if all works out well, might be persuaded to bring the employee on their own payroll.

There have been too many success stories to recall for those that have turned a temporary position into a career.  One such person entered into a teller position because an employee went on maternity leave and decided not to a return.  Twenty-five years, she’s still in banking, but now manages commercial accounts.

Another person left a higher paying position for a temporary one in a field he was interested in breaking into.  Starting from the bottom up, he learned the industry and now manages an entire department.

jscreationzs / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

So, if you find yourself looking for a change or merely looking for any kind of employment, remember that staffing companies are almost always hiring and can be the stepping stone to your success!

And keep in mind, even if you’re not crazy about the position you’re in, it’s always easier to get hired when you’re already working.

Have you worked as a temp before?  Why?  What were your experiences–the good, bad and ugly!!

Project to Link Rural New York to Broadband and to Jobs

Broadband to link rural communities to global economy – YNN, Your News Now.

Helping to close the digital divide by providing broadband to rural New York is a great way to further boost the state’s economy, as this report from YNN indicates.  Not only will it help further business ties with Canadian high-tech companies, but it will also aid job searching efforts.

With so many companies hiring and communicating with applicants online, the increased availability of broadband in Upstate New York will provide yet another opportunity to further the state’s recovery.

March unemployment rates for non-metropolitan counties, including Lewis County (one of the first to benefit from this project), have some of the highest unemployment rates in the state.  Lewis came in with 11.1%, Oswego with 11.0% and Jefferson and St. Lawrence with 10.9%.  The statewide average is 8.0% and nationally unemployment is at 9.2%.

More and more companies are utilizing online job boards, such as our own OnlineEmploymentCenter.com and HomecareEmploymentCenter.com to list new openings and accept applications.  Not to mention the increased use of social media like Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn adopted across the board to interact with potential applicants and promote job opportunities.  Broadband will make it easier for job hunters to actively search and market themselves to hiring companies.

As this project continues, the combination of building business relationships and offering better job searching tools has the potential to greatly improve the jobless rate in New York State.  Do you agree?  Are you or someone you know benefiting from this project?  Share your opinions on the latest unemployment rates and broadband effort going on in New York State!

For more information on the issue of the “Digital Divide” check out this article from Mashable’s Blog.