Employment agencies adjusting to increase in job seekers

Hiring businesses like Advance Services have had successes landing people jobs during the pandemic.

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) – With dozens of businesses hiring, employment agencies have been busier than ever.

“Those early days of the pandemic when there might only have been a handful of folks looking each day, we’ve gotten up to 20 to 40 people coming into the office now and most of those people are leaving with a success story,” Advance Services general manager Kevin Koester said.

Nebraska has one of the lowest unemployment rates in the country, sitting at 2.8 percent, however local businesses are still looking for employees.

“I would say that there’s a lot of options for folks out there right now,” Koester said. “Being able to be that business or that person that stands out from the crowd is something that specifically we’ve paid a lot more attention to.”

Koester said the workforce is more competitive than it’s ever been. To help candidates stand out, they’ve created a more personal approach. Employees zoom with customers and interact to help them find the right fit. They also do follow-ups.

If for any reason someone doesn’t walk out with a job, Advance Services reaches out to local businesses for potential openings. The end goal is to always help someone get employment.

Lincoln resident Autumn Miller spent five months looking for a job. Miller and her boyfriend were able to land one on Friday.

“I was having less hope, but coming in today they gave me a job.” Miller said. “I can start working and providing for me and my son.”