What are your thoughts on the staffing industry?

SGT Ben Keen — Wed, 04 Nov 2015 12:39:23 -0500

Last week I was named as the 2016 American Staffing Association's National Staffing Employee of the Year. I was selected out of the hundreds of nominations sent into the American Staffing Association each year. This award is presented to a temporary or contractor employee who has demonstrated their core beliefs. I was selected not only based on professional work within the information technology field but for my work as a Veteran Advocate.

So now the ASA and others are asking some great questions and we are really getting a great dialogue going that I feel everyone here on RallyPoint can help with.

The one question that keeps coming up is how do Veterans feel about the staffing industry? Is work as a temporary or contract employee something Veterans seek out or do Veterans normally stay away from it? Well since I can only speak for myself, I figured coming here would be a great place to find out what my fellow brothers and sisters-in-arms feel.

I am hoping for some great answers here that I can share with the industry so please be honest, you aren't going to hurt my feelings.

Response by LTC Stephen F. made Nov 4 at 2015 12:52 PM

LTC Stephen F. — Wed, 04 Nov 2015 12:52:56 -0500

To be honest I had never realized there was an entity known as the staffing industry SGT Ben Keen. Is this equivalent to an adjunct staff?

Response by Maj Chris Nelson made Nov 4 at 2015 1:04 PM

Maj Chris Nelson — Wed, 04 Nov 2015 13:04:10 -0500

So, I choose the "I don't look for temp/contract employment"...HOWEVER, I am doing just that. For me to close on my house with VA Backing, they are now saying I must show at least 1 year employment commitment post closing date.... I have 3 choices.... 1. extend in military, 2. re-enlist in military, or 3. provide proof of post military employment (contract). As I am getting ready to retire, 1 and 2 are NOT options. As I am not available for employment until 4 Jan 16, nobody wants to hire me today to start after the 1st of the year....with the exception of a contract company (Maxim Healthcare). I will use them as an income source and also get a feel for the location I am retiring to so that I can later apply to non temp/contract positions. (this is my current opinion, which may change after actually working contract work for a bit...time will tell).

Response by CW3 Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 4 at 2015 7:49 PM

CW3 Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 04 Nov 2015 19:49:50 -0500

I broke my own rule twice and signed on with a staffing company to find a civilian job. The second time, I was on the job doing absolutely nothing for 7 weeks, then walked out and unable to even clear out my own desk. I will never go with a staffing company ever again.