More temps getting full-time jobs

By Carol Dobson / Special Features Writer

In recent months, Lisa DeYoung, of Adecco, has noticed that a large number of employers have been offering temporary employees full-time employment. It's a win-win situation, she says, as the employer had an opportunity to evaluate the temporary worker and determine that they would be a good, full-time fit for the company.

It's also positive for the employee as they had the opportunity, during their time as a temporary employee, to determine if they are working in a job they want to stay in when the assignment ended.

Another trend she has noticed is the shift in her company's busy period. For many years, summer was the busy season as companies hired temporary workers to cover off summer vacations. When companies do hire temporary employees, she adds that they're hiring them for longer periods of time, for example, for a month at a time rather than simply for a week or two.

"This past fall was our busiest yet," she says. "People seem to be thinking that summer is a slow time and then, once the fall comes, its go go go."

When she looks at the people who come into her office, she says she's looking for people who have strong, hard skills, such as computer skills, but she's also looking for softer skills. She also looks at their previous work experience and whether they're willing to adapt to new tasks.

Sherry Johnson of Strictly Staffing says that one trend she has seen since she opened her business in mid-2004 is the progression of clients who want to move from call centres to administrative jobs.

"These are top-notch people, with really strong skills," she says. "Many of them started in retail and picked up selling skills there. Then they went to work at the call centres and picked up other skills, including computer skills. Now they want to move on to the next phase of their career. "

She has also discovered a specialized niche for her services by providing temporary and permanent placements in administrative positions in area law firms.

With the changes in the land registration system that came into effect in December, law firms were looking for people with experience as legal secretaries and other administrative people with experience working in a legal office.

One thing she can't stress enough, for those who are looking for work in this profession, is that they be proficient in spelling and grammar. She has instituted a testing program to ensure that the people she sends to her clients are proficient in both of these subjects.