Growth in new orders for staffing firms decelerated sharply in the past few months in a concerning sign for the staffing industry, according to Staffing Industry Analysts’ July Pulse Survey of individuals from 117 staffing firms. The deceleration in new orders occurred in May and June.

Also, the monthly trend of sales growing easier and recruiting becoming more difficult has reversed in the last two months. Sales are trending more difficult and recruiting is trending easier, although recruiting still remained more difficult than sales in June.

Revenue trends have also decelerated across staffing segments. In temporary staffing, year-over-year revenue growth decelerated to 15 percent in June from 17 percent in April.

“The slowdown in temporary staffing continues,” said Robert Balicki. “The apparent turnaround from January-March has dissipated across all segments. Only direct hire remains a bright spot.”

The full Pulse report is available to firms that take part in the survey. For more information, contact Robert Balicki at rbalicki@staffingindustry.com.