As we closed out July, our Midwest sales team noticed that nearly half of the potential clients in their pipelines were temporary staffing companies. At first, this seemed like a high concentration in one industry, but not when taking into account the current state of the U.S. economy.

As our economy limps forward with stubbornly higher than predicted unemployment rates, temporary staffing remains one of the few industries that offer a sliver of good news. 

Temporary staffing numbers have grown steadily this year, according to an American Staffing Association report released last week. It says growth has been steady; hiring is 33% higher than the first week of 2010 and 24% higher than the same weekly period in 2009.

If the Fed can get the economy moving, staffing will probably see an even more dramatic uptick as companies scramble to fill positions. Turning to temporary staffing companies is a smart move for U.S. small businesses right now. It gives them a way to add some needed extra hands until they feel more secure about the future.

 
I encourage those who have given up on their job search or have skipped the temporary worker avenue in pursuit of full-time employment to think again – especially now, when our recent experience shows the timing is right. In this competitive job market, reaching out to a staffing company that can help you get your foot in the door to a reputable employer is a very savvy first step to take.

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