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Unemployment in this country is now at 8.1 percent, the worst since 1963. Utah's unemployment rate is much lower at 4.6 percent, but it's rising. And as more people hunt for work and beat the bushes for their next job, many Americans turn to temp agencies and staffing companies.
Temporary jobs but people to work
Overall, they're not placing as many people in jobs, but many agencies are putting people to work.
Amoni Lapuaho is looking for a job. He says, "The economy is down right now, but it's only a matter of time before I get in somewhere, but yeah, it's tough." He stays upbeat as he looks for a side job and trains to become a plumber. "I'm still open to any kind of job right now, he says. "I just want something I can support my family with."
Strategic Staffing is a regional staffing company that fills primarily clerical and administrative positions. "They're looking for anything at all that they can get that will keep them busy and keep food on the table for them," said Richard Tripp, employment manager for Strategic Strategies.
Applications are up and job managers are placing workers, but Tripp says the number of employees placed and hours worked is down about 30 percent this year. He says, "If they're laying off people, obviously, they're not calling us for employees. But, if they've already laid off people and have any kind of project or a need, or a person goes on maternity leave, or anything like that, they're calling us for people to fill in because they're already down to a bare bones staff."
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics show the temp industry has lost more than 600,000 jobs since December 2007 and 76,000 jobs in January alone. "Even if it's a temporary opportunity, if a person gets in there and shows the company what they can do, then obviously they're there when the company makes a hiring decision to bring someone on," Tripp says.
Get a foot in the door and make positive move psychologically. Tripp says, "Just to get busy again and get back into the job market makes a huge difference in their lives."
Tips for getting a job from temp agency
Put out applications at multiple temp agencies. Temporary work doesn't hurt your unemployment benefits as long as you're still actively looking for full-time work.
Some employers have consistent demand. Ninety-percent of U.S. businesses used a temp agency or staffing service last year to fill some jobs.
Staffing managers say follow up with a temp agency is key; don't just drop off a resume and hope that works. You can follow up by phone or in person, and find out if there are new opportunities for you.
One worker told KSL he had lost hours at his job, so he wanted temporary work to make up that income. A second job is also a good hedge against future lost income.
A staffing agency that primarily fills construction jobs has lost 70 percent of its business.
Unskilled labor is down.
IT, Health Care and administrative work offer more opportunities today.
Perspective on unemployment numbers
The current unemployment rate is 8.1 percent. That compares to 9 percent unemployment in May of 1975 and 10.8 percent unemployment in November and December of 1982.
Unemployment during the darkest days of the Great Depression topped out at almost 25 percent in December of 1933.
E-mail: jboal@ksl.com
