In observance of the Thanksgiving holiday, ASA headquarters will be closed Thursday, Nov. 26, and Friday, Nov. 27. Staffing Today will return Monday, Nov. 30.

Staffing employment for the week of Nov. 9–15 edged up 0.4% from the prior week, holding at a value of 88 despite the Veterans Day holiday, according to the ASA Staffing Index. November marks a ten-month high for staffing jobs, as the index reached a value of 88 for the first time since January. Staffing employment was down 9.0% from the same week last year, which also included Veterans Day.

New starts were up for the ninth consecutive week, increasing 8.0% on average, with nearly half (48%) of staffing companies reporting gains in new assignments week-to-week.

“Despite the holiday and political uncertainty, the recovery of temporary jobs continues with steady increases week-to-week and solid advancement in new assignments,” said Cynthia Davidson, ASA senior director of research.

This week, containing the 12th day of the month, will be used in the November monthly employment situation report scheduled to be issued by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics on Dec. 4.

Eight in 10 job candidates (80%), both active and passive seekers, foresee working for a new company in the next 12 months—despite, or possibly due to, the economic uncertainty caused by the coronavirus pandemic in the U.S.—according to the 2020 Candidate Sentiment Study by ASA and its corporate research partner, ClearlyRated. The data from the survey, among other results, reveals a sense of optimism about employment and job-related opportunities as the nation continues to fight Covid-19.

“To navigate the new world of work spurred by Covid-19, employers must be more attune to job candidate perceptions, needs, and priorities to effectively and strategically recruit and retain them,” said Cynthia Davidson, ASA senior director of research. “The 2020 Candidate Sentiment Study contains a wealth of data and unique insights into the minds of prospective talent.”

The 2020 Candidate Sentiment Study also sheds light on candidates’ perceptions regarding how they look for jobs (online vs. offline resources), the reasons why they decide to leave a job, and their experiences partnering with staffing agencies―with distinct differences reported among generations, industry sectors, races/ethnicities, and genders. A report of the survey findings is available for purchase—get more information at americanstaffing.net/candidate-sentiment-study.

Don’t miss the ASA Staffing Tech Insights webinar “Using Labor Market Intelligence to Make Better Data-Driven Decisions.” It takes place today from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. Eastern time. Hear from staffing technology expert Brian Delle Donne, who will discuss an emerging staffing tech area: labor market intelligence tools. Learn how to capture and analyze this data to help track and predict labor marketplace changes.

All ASA webinars are free for ASA members, and most qualify for continuing education hours toward ASA certification renewal. To learn more and to register, visit americanstaffing.net.

Looking for guidance on where the U.S. staffing and recruiting industry is headed and how you can capitalize on nascent trends? Don’t miss the ASA webinar “Staffing Industry Playbook: Data-Driven Insights to Navigate Disruption Now and Plan for 2021.” It takes place today from 12 noon to 1 p.m. Eastern time. ASA data analyst Cynthia Davidson will deliver the major takeaways from the 2020 Staffing Industry Playbook—the industry’s most reliable and comprehensive source of economic data. Register now and you will receive a free digital copy of the 2020 Playbook.

All ASA webinars are free for ASA members, and most qualify for continuing education hours toward ASA certification renewal. To learn more and to register, visit americanstaffing.net.

THRIVE 2020, which takes place today from 1:30─6 p.m. Eastern time, is your chance to learn from and connect with standout women leaders in a collaborative virtual environment.

Hear from powerful and inspiring women presenters who will share the strategies that have propelled their careers during this collaborative virtual event—brought to you by the ASA women in leadership interest group.

ASA-certified professionals can earn up to 3.0 hours of continuing education toward certification renewal. Learn more and register at americanstaffing.net.

Don’t miss today’s ASA webinar “The 2020 Elections: Implications for Staffing Firms in 2021 and Beyond,” 3–4 p.m. Eastern time. ASA government affairs counsel Toby Malara will discuss the outcomes of the presidential and congressional elections and review new policies and regulations that might be introduced in the year ahead. Sponsored by Essential StaffCARE, the webinar is free to all attendees. Register at americanstaffing.net.

Tomorrow, don’t miss THRIVE 2020: Elevating & Empowering Women in Staffing, which takes place 1:30─6 p.m. Eastern time. THRIVE 2020 will feature powerful and inspiring women presenters who will share effective growth strategies that have propelled their careers and positioned them for continued success. Registration starts at just $60, and team discounts are available. Register at americanstaffing.net.

Both events qualify for continuing education hours toward ASA certification renewal.

ASA has a packed and powerful lineup of learning opportunities on tap next week. Participate in all of these events and by week’s end you could be better prepared for 2021 than you thought possible before Thanksgiving!

• Monday, Nov. 16, 3–4 p.m. Eastern. The 2020 Elections: Implications for Staffing Firms in 2021 and Beyond. Hear from ASA resident elections expert Toby Malara to get an in-depth perspective on what this year’s election results could mean for your company. Free
• Tuesday, Nov. 17, 1:30–6 p.m. Eastern. THRIVE 2020: Elevating and Empowering Women in Staffing. This new virtual event will feature powerful and inspiring women presenters who will share effective growth strategies that have propelled their career and positioned them for continued success. Rates start at $60
• Wednesday, Nov. 18, 12–1 p.m. Eastern. Data-Driven Insights to Navigate Disruption Now and Plan for 2021. Join top ASA data analyst Cynthia Davidson, who will deliver the major takeaways from the 2020 Staffing Industry Playbook—the industry’s most reliable and comprehensive source of economic data. Free
• Thursday, Nov. 19, 2:30–3:30 p.m. Eastern. Staffing Tech Insights: Using Labor Market Intelligence to Make Better Data-Driven Decisions. Hear from staffing technology expert Brian Delle Donne, who will discuss an emerging staffing tech area: labor market intelligence tools. Learn how to capture and analyze this data to help track and predict labor marketplace changes. Free for ASA members

 All of these learning experiences qualify for continuing education hours toward maintaining your ASA credential. Bookmark the ASA Upcoming Events page and never miss an opportunity to learn and connect with the staffing community.

Are you a woman looking for ways to grow your leadership skills and expand your professional reach in the staffing industry? Don’t miss THRIVE 2020, a new collaborative virtual event brought to you by the ASA women in leadership interest group.

The half-day event takes place Tuesday, Nov. 17, 1:30─6 p.m. Eastern time. Hear from powerful and inspiring women presenters who will share effective growth strategies that have propelled their careers and positioned them for continued success. Learn from and connect with standout women leaders in a collaborative virtual environment.

ASA-certified professionals can earn up to 3.0 hours of continuing education toward certification renewal. Get more information and register online at americanstaffing.net.

How will the results of the 2020 elections affect the staffing industry? ASA government affairs counsel Toby Malara will discuss the outcomes of the presidential and congressional elections, and review new policies and regulations that might be introduced, during the ASA webinar “The 2020 Elections: Implications for Staffing Firms in 2021 and Beyond.” It takes place Monday, Nov. 16, 3–4 p.m. Eastern time. Sponsored by Essential StaffCARE.

This webinar is free to all attendees and qualifies for continuing education hours toward ASA certification renewal. To learn more and to register, visit americanstaffing.net.