Staffing and recruiting professionals see uptick in part-time employment hiring

The latest jobs report from the U.S. Department of Labor is painting an interesting picture. Staffing and recruiting professionals may be finding an increase in the number of clients looking to fill part-time positions or offering contract work, and these observations are part of an overall national trend.

Part-time work makes up large portion of recovery
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, total nonfarm payroll employment increased by 162,000 in July 2013 and the unemployment rate decreased slightly to 7.4 percent. The sectors with the highest increase in employment during this month were retail trade, food services and drinking places, financial activities and wholesale trade.

The retail industry added 47,000 jobs in July and has added 352,000 positions over the past 12 months. Food and drinking places increased employment by 38,000 in July and just over 381,000 in the past year. Despite this positive growth, many officials and employment experts are concerned because a majority of the new positions being created are for part-time work.

“You’re getting jobs added, but they might not be the best-quality job,” John Canally, an economist with LPL Financial, told The Commercial Appeal.

The Commercial Appeal reported that part-time work has made up 77 percent of all job growth this year in the nation. In addition, traditionally low-paying sectors have provided 61 percent of all of those new jobs, even though these sectors only represent 39 percent of all U.S. jobs.

“The jobs that are being created are not generating much income,” Steven Ricchiuto, chief economist at Mizuho Securities USA, wrote in a note to clients, according to The Commercial Appeal.

Part-time workers still the minority
Despite the significant rise in the number of part-time workers in the U.S., this group still makes up the minority. The New York Times reported that there are 5.8 million fewer Americans working in full-time positions compared to December 2007, when the recession officially began. During that same time period, the number of workers with part-time positions has increased by 2.8 million.

With an increased share of employed individuals working in part-time roles and more companies offering part-time positions and temp work, it will be imperative for staffing and recruiting professionals to use comprehensive, efficient tools. Recruiting software allows a staffing professional to track the progress of potential candidates through the application process so that they know exactly when a position is filled and the individual who managed to snag the coveted role.