Engineering, Information Technology, and Scientific Frequently Asked Questions for Job Seekers

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  • Why should I choose engineering, IT, and scientific staffing for employment?

    If a permanent position is a current career goal, staffing employment offers a proven bridge to permanent jobs. According to ASA research, nearly four in 10 staffing employees working in the engineering, IT, and scientific sector were offered a permanent position by a company where they worked on assignment, and two-thirds of employees accepted the job. Staffing also offers work schedule flexibility.

  • What types of positions do engineering, IT, and scientific staffing firms fill?

    Engineering, IT, and scientific staffing firms fill a wide variety of positions, including, but not limited to, engineers, scientists, laboratory technicians, architects, draftsmen, programmers, technical writers and illustrators, designers, installers, and other individuals with specialized skills or training in technical fields involving math or science, computer sciences, and communications technology.

  • Do engineering, IT, and scientific firms offer competitive wages and/or benefits?

    To attract the most qualified employees, staffing firms offer competitive wages and benefits, including schedule flexibility. Many staffing companies offer health insurance, as well as vacation and holiday pay, and some offer retirement savings plans. Depending on the position and responsibilities, your staffing firm may also provide professional liability coverage.

  • How can working as a temporary or contract employee enhance my career?

    If a permanent position is a current career goal, staffing employment offers a proven bridge to permanent jobs. According to ASA research, temporary and contract employees say that assignments strengthen their résumés, provide them with on-the-job experience, and expose them to different technology platforms. Additionally, staffing firms can save you time in your job search, as they have insights into job openings that may not be publicly posted. Staffing also offers work schedule flexibility.

  • What types of businesses use engineering, IT, and scientific staffing services?

    Organizations of all sizes—from small, start-up organizations to Fortune 500 corporations and government agencies—use engineering, IT, and scientific services to augment their workforces based on needs and projects, and to strategically grow their operations.

  • What are the benefits of working with an ASA member staffing firm?

    ASA members pledge to adhere to a code of ethics and best practices—most of which deal with employee relations. Moreover, because ASA promotes legal, ethical, and professional practices for the staffing industry, its members are kept abreast of the latest developments in labor and employment laws and human resource best practices. One of the principal missions of the association is to encourage high standards of ethical conduct in dealings with employees, clients, and competitors.

  • If I have my own consulting company can I still work as a W-2 employee?

    Yes, depending on the circumstances. Most individuals who work with staffing firms are employees of the staffing firm. Your work relationship should be determined by the firm before you start work, and any questions about this relationship should be directed to the staffing firm.

  • How can I find a staffing firm in my geographic area that specializes in the type of work that I do?

    To find a staffing firm that specializes in the engineering, IT, and scientific sector, visit the ASA member staffing firm directory on americanstaffing.net.

  • Which positions are difficult to fill?

    Positions that are difficult to fill include microbiologists, computer systems engineers and architects, information security analysts, software application developers, web developers, IT project managers, scientists, petroleum engineers, and computer systems analysts.

  • How big is the U.S. staffing industry? How large is the engineering, IT, and scientific sector?

    Staffing companies employed an average of 3.3 million temporary and contract workers per week in 2015. Approximately one in 10 U.S. temporary and contract employees (13%) works in the engineering, IT, and scientific sector.