Military Careers, Second Careers - Army Times

7 reasons to try a staffing agency

Take it from Agapito “Gapo” Soto: Temp jobs aren’t boring — at least none of his have been.

The retired Marine Corps gunnery sergeant has braved California wildfires and assisted emergency responders in the wake of landslides in his role as a contract employee for the Orange County (Calif.) Sheriff’s Department.

Soto landed his first temporary assignment with the department in 2001 and hasn’t looked back, all the while working through IT staffing agency Sapphire Technologies. Soto’s current title is technical consultant, helping to keep the sheriff’s office’s computer hardware and software up to date.

And he really likes his job — both its emergency management and IT aspects.

“I really do emphasize the fun part,” Soto said. “Working in this environment is something I enjoy.”

Soto, the professionals at Sapphire and a few of their colleagues in the industry delivered these reasons why signing up with a staffing agency could be the best transition decision you make:

1. Staffing firms have relationships with employers.

“I would rather use the staffing company because they have that direct link to the hiring manager that I won’t have coming in off the street,” said Stephanie Richfield, director of government affairs for American Resource Staffing and its Armed Forces Connection program.

2. Every assignment has potential.

“Don’t say no to any assignment because ... it’s a networking opportunity,” American Staffing Association president and CEO Richard Wahlquist said. “You could find yourself talking to the hiring manager or CEO, and they might say they’ve got something coming open.”

3. Short-term jobs provide flexibility.

“You might work six months in an industry based on a defense contract and then get into the financial sector,” said Matt Colarusso, a branch manager for Sapphire’s national recruiting division.

4. Most agencies offer benefits.

Staffing companies such as Sapphire have benefit programs similar to those of regular employers, Colarusso said, so you can hold a contract position and still have group health insurance.

5. You’ll receive résumé help.

When Soto signed up with Sapphire, an employment counselor helped him develop his résumé. That’s common within the industry, Wahlquist said. “There’s no charge to go to a staffing company to take this first step.”

6. Temporary jobs often result in permanent employment.

In an ASA survey of staffing-industry employees, 77 percent said they believe temporary assignments are a good way to find a long-term job.

“When a company finds a great person, they’re not going to let them go,” Richfield said.

7. Free training makes you more employable.

“Ninety percent of staffing companies provide some free training,” Wahlquist said. And in the ASA survey of staffing-industry employees, 65 percent said they developed “new or improved work skills through their assignments.”