The staffing industry puts 15 million Americans to work every year, yet few people see it as more than a mystery.
We work behind the scenes, liaisons between employer and employee. What many don’t realize is how big of an impact this industry has on the economy. We put people to work, bridging them to opportunities they may not have had otherwise.
Some are starting to catch on though. More companies are using recruiters, and that number is only projected to grow. Analysts predict that the staffing industry itself will grow 4% in 2018.
Here are some mind-blowing facts about the staffing industry and its potential for the future, and since medical staffing is the top industry sector, some of these stats pertain directly to healthcare recruiting.
Job Market Trends
The gig economy has been good to staffing agencies. Many people are trying their hand at freelancing, taking on second jobs or working full-time temporary jobs. With so much untethered talent, it’s easy to persuade professionals to pursue different job prospects, and now there are more opportunities than ever
1. 90% of global professionals are interested in hearing about new job opportunities, but only one third of them are actively looking (Source: LinkedIn).
2. Only 60% of working age individuals are employed or seeking a job (Source: American Staffing Association).
3. Since the Great Recession, staffing employment has grown twice as fast as the economy (Source: American Staffing Association).
4. Healthcare is the fastest growing industry for 2024 projections, providing more jobs than the government or retailers (Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics).
Social Recruiting
Social media platforms have become invaluable in the recruiting process. Recruiters can put themselves in front of the right candidates and connect with them on a more personal level. As expected, LinkedIn and Facebook are the most popular sites that recruiters use, but some are even finding creative ways to attract top talent on YouTube, Instagram and SnapChat.
5. 92% of recruiters use social media to find top talent (Source: AdWeek).
6. Only 4% of recruiters don’t use social media in the recruiting process. (Source: Jobvite).
7. 79% of job seekers use social media to find employment (Source: Glassdoor).
Key Driving Factors
The overwhelming majority of candidates (92%) have satisfying experiences working with staffing companies. A huge reason why is because recruiters can help job seekers at any phase in their careers. Whether a person wants a permanent job where they can have tenure and security or they want temporary work that offers flexibility and new learning opportunities, a staffing agency has them covered.
8. Getting a permanent job is a key driver for choosing to work with a staffing agency (Source: American Staffing Association).
9. One third of professionals who work with a staffing agency receive permanent job offers from client firms (Source: American Staffing Association).
10. 45% of healthcare professionals receive permanent job offers for an opportunity they found through a recruiter (Source: American Staffing Association).
11. 41% of healthcare professionals cite flexible work schedules as a reason for choosing contract work through a recruiter (Source: American Staffing Association).
Needless to say, the future looks bright for this industry. If you’re looking to work with a staffing agency though, be careful in your selection. As someone who’s been in this industry for decades, I know better than most that not all staffing agencies are alike.
