May 12, 2009

The top 10 industries looking for temp hires

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For an increasing number of job seekers in this economy, the road to full-time employment is taking a detour through temporary or project work. While this is hardly an ideal career path for some people, it can often lead to a permanent position. Think of temp work as an extended job interview, with pay.

Sara Eide, manager of the Seattle branch of Office Team, a temporary staffing company owned by Robert Half International, says that a growing number of companies are offering temp work to minimize the risk of making bad hiring decisions. "Temporary and project assignments," she says, "provide the opportunity for companies to observe firsthand an individual's skills, performance and fit for the position before extending a full-time offer."

According to an Office Team survey conducted in the first quarter of 2009, here are the top 10 positions in demand for temporary talent:

1. Credit and collections specialists - Companies are looking for ways to manage credit risk and collect from delinquent accounts. These firms are seeking individuals who can identify ways to reduce inefficiencies and maximize cash flow.

2. Staff and senior accountants - More than ever before, businesses need staff members who can perform core accounting tasks, such as maintaining the general ledger system and analyzing and preparing financial statements.

3. Mortgage specialists - In the wake of the government's Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP), many firms within the financial services industry need skilled loan processors, loan servicing specialists and mortgage assistants to support the increased activity for loan modifications and refinancing.

4. Help desk and desktop support professionals - Businesses migrating from older operating systems, upgrading desktop systems and implementing a wider range of technologies are looking for staff to answer questions and troubleshoot problems.

5. Developer/programmer analysts - If you can write code, test and debug software applications, or analyze business application requirements, you're in demand, especially if your expertise includes .NET, SharePoint, Java and PHP.

6. Web developers - As companies expand their online presence and focus on interactive Web functionality through social media, anyone with Web design experience will have a leg up.

7. Bankruptcy/foreclosure attorneys - Sad but true. With the rise in consumer and corporate bankruptcies and foreclosures, there is a particular need for attorneys with more than five years of experience in bankruptcy law.

8. Litigation paralegals - Law firms and corporations are forming specialized project teams to handle key aspects of trial preparation and discovery, so paralegals are being sought on a project basis to assist with investigations and pleadings.

9. Customer service representatives - Customer satisfaction and loyalty are being sought after as the economy recovers. Firms also look to these individuals to sell additional products or services to existing customers.

10. Administrative health care positions - This is an industry in perennial need of qualified professionals. Positions in demand include: medical file clerks/scanners, medical secretaries, patient registration/admissions clerks and credentialing specialists.

Randy Woods writes about job-search tools, networking techniques and other tips to help you land your dream job.

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1 Comments

Rod Mattson on May 14, 2009 2:03 PM | Reply

This is good evidence that there are job openings out there. Yes, our unemployment rate is high, but our employment rate is 5 times higher. These are all good fields to get a "foot in the door."

However, don't limit yourself to just these 10 fields, you want to use the same prinicples discussed here and apply to the field of your interest. There is always attrition in any field and you have to put yourself in a position to get lucky.

For more information on how to do this, come one of the seminars on Job Seeking we are offering on June 3, 2009 at the Best Western Emerald Suites Hotel at I-5 and 320th S in Federal Way, WA. See our website for details and preregistration.
www.MattsonCommunication.com

Rod Mattson
www.MattsonCommunication.com

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