Not Your Mother’s Temp Job: Work for a Staffing Agency

03 Jun Not Your Mother’s Temp Job: Work for a Staffing Agency

Temporary job agencies, or staffing agencies, have gotten mixed to poor reviews historically. While opportunities like Kelly Girls were ok for young single women in the 1960s, these days they are sometimes considered a choice of last resort.

But they shouldn’t be. Temporary jobs have evolved tremendously over the last few years, especially since the recession has redefined the way companies staff their roles. As much as 42% of companies plan to use interim workers this year to help support their personnel needs. So what’s the upside of joining the more than 14 million temporary workers hired in the U.S. this year?

5 Reasons to Work for a Staffing Agency

1. It could lead to something permanent. More and more staffing agencies offer temp-to-perm solutions, where potential employers can “try before they buy” through a temp agency. According to one report 36% of temporary and contract workers were eventually offered a permanent position.
2. You can get benefits and other traditional employer support. In addition to certain rules of the Affordable Care Act that require employers to provide insurance for employees working at least 30 hours per week (and remember, temp work doesn’t necessarily mean part time work, so you may qualify), some companies simply choose to offer traditional benefits.
   Some offer health insurance, paid public holidays, training programs and other benefits that are commensurate with a full-time position. So you could be giving up less than you thought if you work for a staffing agency.

3. Temporary positions can develop marketable skill sets. While not all contract jobs lead to permanent positions, they can be a great way to get experience under your belt. Many employers are reluctant to take on someone permanently who has no experience and invest in full training.It can be much easier to get your foot in the door, even with just short-term employment that can develop a marketable skill for a subsequent opportunity.
4. Temporary doesn’t have to mean short term. If you are willing to work for a staffing agency, you’ll be pleasantly surprised to learn that a good number of positions are outsourcing jobs – roles that have been contracted out by a company to a staffing agency under a multi-month to multiyear agreement. Call center jobs are a prime example. In these cases it’s not unusual for outsourcing team members to stay in the same role for 1 to 2 years – providing nearly the same stability as a full-time position.

5. Better than nothing . . . way better. While it might sound cynical, to work for a staffing agency beats not working at all. But it’s not as simple as a paltry check versus unemployment.
   [bctt tweet=”Having a regular daily routine, interacting with others, learning new skills and, yes — earning a wage – does a lot to keep depression and hopelessness at bay while waiting for that perfect dream job.”]

Before you turn your back on the idea of a temp job, find out what’s out there and what you’re qualified for. You might be pleasantly surprised to discover that you actually enjoy seeing new companies and choosing if and when you want to take the next gig.

Unemployment can feel like you’ve lost control. Temporary employment could put you back in the driver’s seat.