Job Search Tips Archives - STS Staffing and Temporary Services

A Professional Job Placement Agency Bringing Dynamic Clients and Employees Together

STS Staffing has updated its website to be more user-friendly by offering more usable content for companies seeking employees and job-seekers looking for new employment.

Who Is STS Staffing?

STS Staffing is a Twin Cities-based professional job placement agency that has served Minneapolis, St. Paul and greater suburbs since 1992. We’ve seen many changes in permanent and temporary staffing after 27 years of business, but as much as we’ve kept up with the technological advancements over that time, the core tenets of our business have not changed.

We still believe that business is about developing mutually beneficial relationships with both our clients and job-seeking candidates.

What Is an Employment Agency?

An employment agency is a company that helps businesses find employees. The agency acts as a partner with businesses to find the right candidates through proper vetting. Employment agencies are not job boards, and instead build relationships with companies seeking qualified candidates.

While employment agencies help companies fill positions, they also assist job seekers in finding new employment through career consultation and a resume review process. These pools of qualified candidates are then sent to companies that are hiring for the position that best suits the candidate.

Staffing Process That Works for You

At STS Staffing, we take pride in our personal approach to helping clients and candidates. We’re not like the thousands of job boards across the internet; we meet with you in person and create a real relationship. We conduct a 6-step signature staffing process with each client and personally tailor it to their needs:

Contact is made between our team and a prospective client about temporary or permanent job placement.
We arrange a meeting at our prospective client’s business so we can get to know their company by asking questions. Expectations for the partnership are also discussed.
Next is a facility tour — we want to get to know the actual job that’s being performed and understand safety procedures from a workers’-comp standpoint.
STS Staffing will submit staffing agreement with hourly rates, obtain a credit application, and complete a safety walkthrough that goes in a client’s file.
Once an agreement is signed, candidates are recruited and submitted to the client for interviews.
Just like any new partnership, STS Staffing will follow up to make sure our client is comfortable and expectations are being met.

Businesses that partner with us will experience the personal touch of working with a company that understands their mission and goals.

Finding the Right Job for You

Just as our staffing services are personalized for each business, our job seeker services are also built to get to know applicants. There are 4 steps to our job-seeker registration, each designed to help find a position that best fits a candidate’s skills and qualifications.

An employment registration form is filled out by a job seeker so we can gather general information.
The job seeker then uploads their resume for review.
One of our recruiters reviews the applicant’s credentials.
STS Staffing arranges a face-to-face interview to get to know the candidate and understand their preferences when seeking a new job.

This personal approach to job placement has led to hundreds of new jobs for candidates. We’ll never charge an application fee and our services are ACA compliant.

Multiple Branch Staffing Agency

Beyond our 2 locations in Minnesota, STS Staffing has branch office locations in Phoenix, Arizona, Anchorage, Alaska, and Reno and Las Vegas, Nevada. While each branch location has a personality of its own and serves a varied niche, the overall STS core principles of integrity, hard work, and a commitment to going the extra mile are at the root of every branch we operate.

Find Employment or Employees with STS Staffing

We invite you to experience the STS difference if you’re looking for temporary or permanent work or are in need of highly qualified workers. We’ve expanded operations to support staffing projects nationwide, so our reach goes beyond just our regional office locations.

10 Reasons Why Becoming a Contract Nurse Is Your Best Option

Two female contract nurses standing next to each other in their scrubs inside a hospital

Today’s guest post comes from Catherine Burger, BSN, MSOL, RN, who has worked as an RN for nearly 30 years.

There are many reasons why nurses choose to work on a contingent basis for companies that specialize in staffing services. These agencies are created to fill both short-term assignments for per-diem nurses and also assist those seeking permanent assignments. Many people work for nurse staffing agencies in addition to a permanent schedule with an organization, while some nurses are exclusively on contract.

Already interested in learning more? Contact STS Staffing today!

What Is a Contract Nurse?

Contract nurses are guaranteed full-time hours by hospitals and other healthcare facilities for as long as their contract goes. These contracts can run for as short as 1 month or as long as 26 weeks. After the contract ends, the nurse is free to do what they want, whether it’s taking a month-long sabbatical, signing another contract or moving to another city to pursue another nursing contract.

Here are more reasons why people become contract nurses.

Why You Should Be a Contract Nurse

1. More Freedom

Nurses working for contract agencies can pick and choose their own schedules and worksites to fit around their lifestyle.

2. Less Politics

Contingent workers such as nurses have the benefit of not getting involved with the daily politics of a department or organization. They can come to work, provide excellent care, and leave the drama when they clock out.

3. Availability of Work

Most nurses find that if they have the knowledge, skill, ability and willingness, they will always be able to quickly pick up work for nursing shifts.

4. Colleagues Are Happy to See You

For most departments and facilities, staff members are always grateful to see a per-diem nurse arrive on the unit to share the workload.

5. Nurse Leaders Are Happy to See You

Organizations that hire contingent nurses know that the workers have been thoroughly screened and have the skills needed to care for the patients. They also count on the fact that these nurses are under contract with the organization and so there is less chance of the nurse calling in sick or not showing up for the shift.

6. Geo-Flexibility

Moving? Nurse staffing agencies can be found everywhere from small towns to large cities. Nurses can easily sign on with a short-term or per-diem contract in any area to either bridge the gap of a permanent job or supplement income.

7. Insight Into Organizations

Nurses who pick up assignments at varying hospitals or clinics get to see how the organization is managed without the commitment of a permanent assignment.

8. Reap the Benefits of the Gig Economy

It is estimated that as many as 40% of workers in today’s economy identify as being freelance or gig workers. Nurses, or knowledge workers, are no different. Designing a schedule that fits around your life is becoming more popular, especially when a partner is able to carry health insurance coverage for the nurse.

9. Tax Breaks

Many states offer tax breaks or incentives to contract staff to include uniforms, continuing education credit, and mileage. Nurses should check with a tax authority to reap all possible benefits.

10. Less Burnout

Having the ability to control your schedule and place of work leads to higher satisfaction, so the chance of burnout is less likely. Nurses can choose from a variety of settings within an agency’s postings, which can offer nurses a frequent change in vocational scenery.

The contract nurse has a plethora of reasons to work as an at-will or per-diem employee. Nurse staffing agencies provide an excellent home-base for nurses seeking this stable, yet flexible career pathway.

Here’s How References Help You Get Employed at Your Dream Job

The job market is still hot these days and job seekers have many options regarding potential employment, but how can you stack the odds in your favor when going after that dream job?

One way is to have a list of excellent professional references.

We’re talking about past supervisors who know you, know your work and are able to accurately articulate the meaningful contributions you made while employed by their organization in either writing or via a telephone conversation.

When applying for any job, you want to put your best foot forward and sell your ability to perform the necessary tasks in an effort to be selected for the job. That’s great, and any potential employer would expect you to tout your strengths, but hearing or reading about those strengths from a past employer in the form of a reference makes it all the more real.

Here are a handful of job reference tips that explain how references help you get employed for your dream job.

1. History as a Good Employee

To get a good reference, you need to have been a good employee. It all starts with proving your worth and having someone in authority take notice of your skills and talents. If you’ve done good work, showed up on time every day you were scheduled, went above and beyond the call of duty without being asked, then you should easily be able to ask your past supervisors to act as references.

2. How to Select the Right References

Contact your top 3 references before presenting them to an employer, and make sure they will vouch for you when contacted. There is nothing worse than providing a list of references that hurt your chances. Here are 3 essential things to consider:

Your references are responsive to calls
You provide accurate contact information
Your references remember who you are and what made you stand out

Always keep in touch with your references and make sure they know you’re applying for a new job and that they will most likely pick up the phone when your future boss calls.

3. Print out Reference Letters

Pre-empt the request for references entirely by providing a written reference or 2 during your interview with a potential employer.

An impressive action you can take during a face-to-face interview is to leave a written reference (preferably on company letterhead) with the person or team conducting the interview. This single act shows great foresight and desire on your part to be seen as a serious contender that is proactive and professional.

4. Understand the Psychology Behind References

In sales, we’re taught, ‘’If you say it, it’s suspect, but if someone else says it, it’s gospel.”

While that axiom isn’t exact, the meaning behind it is sound, since in sales, we’re promoting the features and benefits of our service or product.

What better way to do so than by offering a letter of reference from a satisfied customer? When you’re applying for a new job, you’re very much engaging in a sales process. By providing your own list of references from satisfied employers, you are achieving the same advantage.

5. Written Reference Format

When providing your written reference, be mindful of length and structure of the letter. The reference should be quick and easy to read. Make sure it’s in a memo format with a heading and includes the following:

A recent date is best
“To whom it may concern”
Who the reference is from followed by their company and title
Making clear the letter is for you and a future position
No more than 2 narrative paragraphs about your position, duties, accomplishments, and notable achievements

Your written references will always be more impactful if written on company letterhead, so ask your reference to use letterhead if possible.

Other Job Reference Tips

Though this is a professional reference, it could also include any pertinent personal information, too. An example would be if you worked a part-time job while you were a full-time student and you achieved your objectives at work despite obstacles like class schedules and school work.

Displaying these past challenges show a future employer your commitment to work and gives them an example of your time management skills.

Use these tips to your advantage to structure several useful references that will help you receive great offers.

Remember, too, that an added byproduct of this process is to keep in touch with past supervisors who can offer good advice and mentorship along your long and lucrative career path.

We can help you launch your career path, too. We have a long list of available positions on our job board right now as well as resources you can use to become a more attractive candidate.

6 Reasons Why Becoming a Contingent Worker Fits Your Lifestyle

If you have ever thought the 9-to-5 grind just isn’t for you anymore, you’re not alone. Every year, thousands of permanent employees lose their passion for a job — leaving them stuck twiddling their thumbs in career purgatory with a perceived “safe” position at a company that provides what employees think are good benefits.

It doesn’t have to be that way.

Becoming a contingent worker could be the answer you’re looking for, whether you’ve lost the drive to perform in your current role, lost faith in your current company or just want to try something different with your career.

What Is a Contingent Worker?

A contingent worker is an individual who is not an employee of a company, but somebody who is brought in on a temporary basis either through a time-sensitive contract or on a project-by-project basis. These individuals work for themselves or through a temporary staffing service like STS Staffing, and flow from one company to the next as special assignments arise.

If your company has ever planned a big celebration for their 50th anniversary, it’s likely they hired a specialized event planner to work temporarily on throwing the important birthday bash. The party planner works for your company until the job is done, collects a paycheck and then they’re gone.

If you think it sounds like the event planner has a pretty flexible schedule, you’re right. And that’s not the only benefit. Here are 6 other contingent worker advantages.

1. Contingent Worker Rights

Now, this is a heavy topic to begin the list, but you have the right to know what you’re getting into. Many see breaking free from a company’s shadow as a risk because you’re left vulnerable and lacking benefits. However, this isn’t the case.

For starters, you have more flexibility when it comes to compensation and work hours when you’re a contingent worker. Establish what you’re worth and make sure an employer is providing you with these state and federal contingent worker rights:

No discrimination on the basis of race, gender and disability
Entitled to federal and state minimum wage and overtime pay standards
Must provide a safe working environment according to OSHA

While contingent workers are not eligible for the same benefits as regular employees, there are options provided by the staffing company you’d be working through. For example, STS Staffing is ACA compliant and offers health insurance for contingent workers.

2. No Degree? No Problem.

According to a survey conducted by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, there are more contingent workers who hold at least a bachelor’s degree than noncontingent workers.

We can conclude from this survey that your education level has nothing to do with whether or not you can become a contingent worker. The risk is no greater for a high school-educated person to start working as a contingent worker versus settling as a full-time employee somewhere else.

Employers looking for contingent workers only care about whether or not you can get the job done. While a college degree might look standard on a resume, it isn’t required to get an opportunity in an industry you are passionate about.

3. Contingent Work Can Be Found in Every Industry

As employers realize the benefit of offering contingent work on the business end, more and more jobs are sprouting up. And they’re not just manufacturing and sales jobs. Here is a list of contingent job examples:

Medical Assistant
Retail Sales Associate
Office Administrator
Seasonal Work: Snow Removal, Landscaping, etc.
Social Media Specialist, Marketing Assistant
Event Planner
Delivery Personnel
Package Handler
Installation/Repair Occupations

4. Build Your Skills

Contingent work is a great place to start if you’re trying to get your foot in the door of a particular industry. Whether you’re considered an intern or not, contingent work could be your introduction to a field where you can excel.

Take a social media specialist for example:
Working part-time handling social media accounts for a marketing firm will look great on a resume when — or if — you decide to apply for a full-time salaried position in the future.

Contingent work could also be your introduction into something you suddenly feel passionate about. Many human resource specialists start in office administration roles, and have climbed their way to a position with more responsibility within the HR department.

5. Flexible Options & Electronically Mediated Work

Working 9-to-5 for 40 hours a week isn’t logistically realistic for a good portion of the adult population. That’s why nearly every generation has a group of people who believe contingent work just makes sense. It makes even more sense with today’s technology — because working on a contingent basis has never been easier!

Electronically mediated work is easier for many college students, adults starting families and seniors when it comes to managing their hectic schedules. This type of work gives them more control over their lifestyle while still allowing them to collect the stable paycheck they depend on.

Of the many contingent worker advantages, not having a set time to arrive at an office is among the best benefit!

6. Long Term Potential

Contingent work isn’t for everybody. It provides the opportunity for a freer lifestyle and good pay, but some individuals may have a sudden desire for stability. Fortunately, permanent employment is still possible after you become a contingent worker.

According to the vice president of a prominent global staffing company, 40 percent of contingent workers develop into permanent employees of the companies they are contracted to work.

If you’re looking for a foot-in-the-door opportunity, becoming a contingent worker is your best bet.

Contingent Worker Advantages Outweigh the Disadvantages

If you’re ready to stop twiddling your thumbs and try something different, STS Staffing can help you find contingent jobs. We have hundreds of employers posting their opportunities on our site.

STS Staffing wants to help you take the first step in becoming a contingent worker — so what are you waiting for?

I Need Help Finding a Job ASAP: 6 Ways A Staffing Agency Can Help

Are you out of work? Maybe you’re underpaid or your current manager is getting you down?

Whatever your reason behind looking for a new job is, contacting a reputable staffing agency and working with a job recruiter in your area can be the most efficient way to find a great new gig.

We all know the economy is smokin’ hot these days, and most job seekers have many options to choose from.

What are the benefits of a staffing agency? Let’s consider some of the advantages of taking this route if you need help finding a job ASAP:

1. Staffing Agencies Are Well Connected to Employers

The first benefit of a staffing agency is their reach in the community. Reputable agencies who have been in business for a long time have strong connections with local employers, pay prevailing wages, and can often get you hired faster than going it alone. Use them as your own personal talent agent to seek out the best opportunities for you.

2. We Know Where to Look Offline

Staffing agencies often have positions available that are not advertised on the web and in many cases, have exclusive dealings with certain clients, which provides you with an inside scoop to land a great new job.

3. We Negotiate the Best Deal for You

Working with a job recruiter at a staffing agency gives you more knowledge and capability in the market. Any recruiter who’s been in staffing for more than a couple of years will be adept at working with you and brokering a good deal on your behalf.

4. We Benefit From Getting You Hired, Too

Always remember that most recruiters work on a commission basis to earn at least a portion of their wages, so they absolutely want to put you to work.

Recruiting can be a high-pressure business and people who don’t perform don’t tend to last long, so one of the first questions you should ask when you apply at your local staffing agency is, “how long have you been recruiting?” While a rookie recruiter may do a competent job, you should always seek the advice of a seasoned pro.

5. We Can Get You Experience in Different Industries

Gaining valuable experience quickly in different industries is a huge advantage when looking for a permanent job. One of the best benefits of a staffing agency is the fact that you can work multiple assignments over the course of just a few months. This will allow you to see how different organizations manage people, establish production schedules, move product, document processes, and so much more.

Imagine how garnering all this knowledge can benefit your overall marketability and employability!

6. We Are Your Bridge to a Long-Term, Full-Time Job

Many clients of staffing agencies will hire people with an eye toward selecting full-time employees. This method of “temp-to-perm” is common within the industry and many, many satisfying employment arrangements have been made through this type of hiring.

Along those lines, remember that the staffing agency can get you in the door, but what you do from there is up to you.

We hope these tips will help you decide to use a reputable staffing agency that has an established track record of good performance. For more advice and help finding a job ASAP, please feel free to contact us here at STS Staffing. We would be happy to help you find that great new job!

What to Expect from Your Staffing Provider: The 4 Steps to the Recruitment Process

In “The Wizard of Oz,” Dorothy, Toto, the Tin Man, Scarecrow, and the Cowardly Lion were all directed to follow the yellow brick road in order to reach their goal destination and meet the great Oz.

Having a reputable staffing firm on your side to help guide you through the steps to the recruitment process will hopefully put you on your own yellow brick road — one that avoids encounters with the likes of the wicked witch and any flying monkeys.

Here’s what to expect from your staffing provider, in basic terms.

Want to see the complete and comprehensive guide to our recruitment process? You can find it here!

Step 1: Defining the Need

Does your company require temporary staff for a special project or production overload? Or is the need for someone on an ongoing basis or even a long-term direct hire? Whatever the circumstance, your staffing firm should be able to assist, but the methods and strategy applied will depend upon your circumstances.

A candid and thorough conversation is the first step in meeting your need. Also, the better your staffing firm understands your overall objective, the better they will be able to quickly and efficiently complete the task.

Step 2: Agreeing on a Process

Once the need is defined, agreeing on the best way to reach the goal is necessary. What this means is largely dependent upon your need.

If your company requires temporary staff for 2-3 weeks for a special project, it may simply be just a matter of defining the role(s), work hours, general pay rate, and required skills for the staffing firm to find and send in the people needed to fulfill the requirement.

If, on the other hand, this is a search for a direct hire in a key role, a deeper vetting process including multiple interviews, specific skill or behavioral testing, etc may be needed.

Step 3: The Offer and Acceptance

With temporary employees, a pay rate is established for the work, and a recruiter contacts the available employees who have the requisite skill set to meet the needs of the job.

In a direct hire situation, once a viable candidate has been identified, making an appropriate offer and gaining an acceptance can be more involved.

Your staffing firm will be able to assist with this by providing you with market rates for the position based upon the work they’ve done with other clients for this type of job. They will also vet the candidate in regard to expectations for salary, benefits, PTO, and potentially even some type of sign-on bonus.

Ultimately, everyone should strive for a win-win scenario in regard to the overall compensation package.

Step 4: Follow Up

It’s the “service after the sale” that sets the premier staffing firms apart from those at the back of the pack, and they do so by going the extra mile and following up.

In the case of temporary placements, an “arrival call” on day one ensures that everyone showed up on time and is doing the work as expected. This also includes a call to the supervising manager with your company to see that they are satisfied.

In the case of a direct hire placement, the same sort of arrival call holds true, but it may take the form of a follow-up a couple weeks after the start of the job.

Since this is meant to be a long term relationship, there is more involved than just a skill set to perform the job. True job satisfaction includes many things like challenging work, cultural fit, monetary compensation, room for advancement, and comprehensive benefits. The list goes on, so the follow-up will be more involved and done after some time on the job has elapsed.

In “The Wizard of Oz,” the wonderful wizard pulled all the strings behind the curtain. So should your staffing provider. STS Staffing will be there to pull back the curtain during all of the steps to the recruitment process, in full disclosure, to guide you and your company to successful direct or temporary hires.

Contact our team to learn more!

4 Steps to Writing a Cover Letter That Gets You the Job

Putting together a winning resume is the first step in grabbing the attention of a potential new employer, but the other key component in setting yourself apart from the competition is a cover letter that gets results.

Now, some of you might be thinking, “A cover letter? What is this, 1977?” And you’d be partially correct. Gone are the days of mailing resumes on off-white, high cotton content paper and including a type written cover letter, but the concept of an introduction tailored specifically to a certain company and/or position highlighting how your exact skills are a great match for the job should not be underestimated.

In a world of digital communications, setting yourself apart in some meaningful way can only help you in your job search by adding color and life to what has often come to be a bland and faceless process.

So, whether your cover letter is actually typed on paper, included as part of an online application, emailed, or communicated in some other way, it’s still important.

The 4 Step Cover Letter Strategy:

Step 1: Your target audience.

Spend some time researching who the actual decision maker is and address your cover letter to that individual person. While you can’t always determine who that is, the fact of the matter is that if you can send an application/resume and cover letter to someone specific, it will have a much greater impact and definitely get noticed.

Step 2: Content of your cover letter.

How does your experience and personal skill set mesh with the needs of the company and the deliverables of the job, as outlined in the job description? Look at all of this from the hiring manager’s viewpoint. Put yourself in that person’s shoes. If you were making the hire, why are you the one for the job? What makes you the one who will return the greatest bang for the buck? Be specific and include examples from your past experience that would be important in this new role.

Step 3: Ask for an interview.

The sole function of your resume and the cover letter is to garner enough interest to secure a face to face meeting. The old adage in sales is, “Never sell on the phone,” which is to mean that you want to set an appointment and get in front of your prospect before you start selling. The same holds true when looking for a job. Your cover letter needs to include a call to action, so be sure to state that you’d like an interview, because most people don’t.

Step 4: Follow up.

In conjunction with point 3 above, you need to follow up on the submittal of your application/resume and cover letter. Pick up the phone and make a call. When you get a live person on the other end, ask for an interview. You would be amazed at how many people take the time to carefully craft their resume and a cover letter, send it out, but never follow up. In a competitive marketplace, the person that actually ends up getting the job is often the one who expressed the greatest interest. Always remember that fortune favors the bold. Always take the time to follow up and follow through.

How to Change Careers Successfully: 4 Easy Steps

If you’re looking to land a job in a different field, the key is making your skills transferable. If you’re a truck driver that wants to transition into CNC machining work, for example, that’s not an unreasonable stretch. You most likely have mechanical ability and other attributes necessary to work in an industrial environment. Going from truck driving to being an attorney, however, is a bit more complicated. While that kind of job change isn’t impossible, it would require much more time and schooling.

If you’re interested in getting a job in a different industry, here are four steps to success:

Step 1. Evaluate Your Current Skill Set & Abilities

Grab a pad of paper and a pen, sit down, and take stock of your overall experience. Determine how the skills and experience you’ve gained, to date, can transfer into another field or an elevated role in your current line of work.

Step 2. Network

Get some first-hand reports from the front lines by speaking with those already engaged in the work you’re interested in. Put together a list of questions you want to ask, such as:

1. What do they do in a typical day?
2. What type of training was required?
3. What do they love best about what they do?
4. What don’t they like about what they do?

No job is perfect, but if you determine that those who have gone before you in your field of interest are enjoying career fulfillment, then you have a good benchmark to work with.

Step 3. Take action

Once you’ve determined your strengths and abilities and thoroughly investigated your target career choice in terms of what it entails, put a plan into play and get the education or training necessary to meet the minimum requirements of the industry. In tandem with this, reach out to companies and potential employers about your interest in the work they do.

4. Consult the Experts

Ask for any additional advice or even an informational interview to discuss the industry and your specific interest with someone in the position or field you desire. Be prepared to discuss why you are interested in that field of work, what previous skills you bring to the table, and to sell your enthusiasm for their industry.
In our ever-changing world, there are many who have stepped out and found meaningful jobs in new industries. There are no limits as long as you rely on your imagination, drive, and desire to make your life better. So don’t be afraid to take a leap and make a change with the help of these steps on how to apply for a job outside your field. You may surprise yourself!

If you’re interested in getting a job outside your industry, contact the experts at STS Staffing today!

Reasons Why You Should Consider a Seasonal Job for the Holidays

With Thanksgiving in the rear-view mirror and Christmas quickly approaching, this is an ideal time to look into earning extra cash through a seasonal job.

During this time of year, many businesses need extra help to get them through the holiday rush. Consider all the possibilities available to gain short-term employment:

Retail stores (clerks, sales associates, warehouse helpers, shipping/receiving, gift wrapping)
Christmas tree lots
Snow shoveling & removal
Delivery driver and/or driver’s helper
Restaurant staff (hosts, servers, bartenders, bussers, dishwashers, catering, cooks)
Hospitality (hotels, resorts, ski areas, holiday events, janitorial work)

There are many reasons why you should consider a seasonal job for the holidays. Not only can you earn additional money for gifts, but you can also receive discounts from retailers as a full-time, or even part-time, seasonal employee. It’s truly a win-win.

Other advantages come in the form of new work experiences and networking with supervisors and other employees to expand your circle of contacts and influence. Serving others during the holiday season always tends to bring out the true spirit of Christmas as well!

For more information about seasonal part-time and full-time jobs during the holidays, feel free to contact your nearest STS Staffing location to see what type of work fits your skills, background, and schedule.

3 Advantages of Temporary Employment and Contract Work

Over the 26 years that STS Staffing & Temporary Services has been in business, we’ve seen a shift in how temporary (or contract) work is viewed in the business community and wider world. Often maligned in the past as a refuge for the “unemployable” who lack any meaningful skills, job seekers are now seeing the many advantages of temporary employment.

In our modern economy, employees are more apt to see themselves as independent contractors or individual contributors — even when they work a full-time job.

Employers are also embracing the idea of “contingent labor,” as it’s something that provides maximum flexibility and control of personnel costs. Temporary help from staffing firms eliminates many overhead costs for businesses and allows employers to adjust the quantity and type of staff they want during peak production times.

From an employee standpoint, the ability to work as a temporary employee, or independent contractor, is advantageous for many reasons:

Your staffing firm has standing relationships with many companies, giving you many different opportunities and valuable experiences. This can be crucial in developing skills, gaining experience, and growing your network of contacts.
Your staffing firm generally knows of available positions that aren’t actively advertised to the general public. The firm can get your foot in the door with good organizations that need help.
Over 30% of all STS Staffing temporary assignments have the potential for a long-term, direct hire relationship with the client company. Working with a staffing firm can be a great way to get hired into a position that offers greater pay and benefits. While we can’t guarantee anyone will be hired as a permanent employee, or when, we have seen it happen often enough to feel confident in promoting this scenario as a true advantage of contract work.

In addition, the lure of mobility that temporary work offers is quite appealing to many employees.

For more information on how STS Staffing & Temporary Services can assist you in your job search, please contact one of our recruiters at your nearest STS branch location.