Staffing solutions come in a variety of forms to meet specific client needs, from short assignments to full-time hires. Here are definitions of the basic types of staffing services, as well as the occupational categories typically served by staffing firms.
Services
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A staffing agency brings together job seekers and potential employers for the purpose of establishing a permanent employment relationship.
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A staffing firm hires its own employees and assigns them to support or supplement a client’s workforce in situations involving employee absences, temporary skill shortages, seasonal workloads, and special projects. Temporary jobs can also lead to permanent placements.
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A staffing agency employee works for a client during a trial period during which both the employee and the client consider establishing a permanent employment relationship.
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A staffing agency supplies employees to work on long-term assignments. Employees are recruited, screened, and assigned by the agency.
Occupational Categories
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Physicians, dentists, nurses, hygienists, medical technicians, therapists, home health aides, custodial care workers, etc.
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Manual laborers, food handlers, cleaners, assemblers, drivers, tradesmen, machine operators, maintenance workers, etc.
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Consultants, analysts, programmers, designers, installers, and other occupations involving computer sciences or communications technology, etc.
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Secretaries, general office clerks, receptionists, administrative assistants, word-processing and data entry operators, cashiers, etc.
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Accountants, bookkeepers, attorneys, paralegals, middle and senior managers, advertising and marketing executives, and other nontechnical occupations that require higher skill or education levels
