Pairing Great Jobs with Great People in Washington, D.C.

Beyond just being our nation’s capital, D.C. is a fun city with a lot of different things going on at any given moment. Bluecrew started staffing in Washington, D.C. in 2018 with some of our most commonly staffed positions - Warehouse Associates and Delivery Drivers. After we ingrained ourselves into a lot of the local warehouses and fulfillment centers (though take heart, we’re still growing!), there was still huge opportunity in a lot of D.C.’s other industries. Now, we have a ton of different positions both within local warehouses and delivery centers and in the culinary and hospitality industries. 

Some of our most common jobs now are for Movers, Laborers, and even Concessions workers for huge local sporting events. Not only do the Crew Members who take on those jobs get to experience fun, unique workplaces, they also do a great job of representing our Bluecrew team in the Washington, D.C. area. 

D.C. has something to offer for everyone. For long-term residents, for tourists, and for those in the neighboring parts of Maryland and Virginia. We’re glad to get to contribute to people’s workdays (as we staff corporate kitchens), daily lives (when we’re delivering their essential goods), and activities (when we get to help big events run smoothly). 

Right now, D.C. is preparing to reopen following the stay-at-home order that started on April 1. While Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, D.C. all have different reopening strategies, we’re looking forward to seeing the whole DMV area be able to safely return to work.  

We’re taking this chance to reflect on everything we enjoy about helping people find jobs in the D.C. area and helping companies stay fully staffed with great local talent. In honor of our capital city, we asked two members of our local D.C. team to share more about why they love the district.

Get to know Genisse and Cynthia, and take a few minutes to get their take on what’s special about D.C.’s community, employers, and Crew Members.

Genisse, Recruiting Operations Lead

Known for: Doing a little bit of everything! She’s a talented musician, a pastry chef with a small cake business, and works with 3 non-profits in her spare time to help refugee families find employment.

Cynthia, Account Executive

Known for: Amazing piano skills (is there something in the water in D.C.?) and being 5’6”... but 5’10” if you count her hair. 

What makes Washington, D.C. special?

Cynthia: There is so much diversity in D.C.! We get to meet people from all around the world (in more normal times), there are always tourists, and there’s a ton of great history. I love living in the heart of America.

Genisse: The DMV is open, fruitful, and inviting. The people here are truly amazing! And as an ambassador for Bluecrew, I really get to see that. Even when I talk to people who aren’t looking for work, they tend to share Bluecrew with their friends and help level up everyone around them. I love that generous spirit - we’re all here to help one another. 

What is it like to be part of Bluecrew in the D.C. region?

Genisse: Bluecrew helps people grow. I’ve gotten to see a lot of Crew Members pursue positions they may not have been able to secure in the past. For people who have been overlooked or struggled to find a role they love, Bluecrew is a huge asset. I love that we take chances on folks who are eager to learn and love to work and help them find good jobs that fit their goals. 

It’s special to get to work for a company that changes lives. So often, workers on our crew tell me about how happy they are to work for us and be part of a true family. Just because we classify as a “temp agency” doesn’t mean we operate like one. Those people will forever be part of the Bluecrew team, even after they find long-term companies. 

Cynthia: We created D.C. jobs for hundreds of workers with many different options to fit their skills, lifestyle, and availability. It’s so much fun to see our workers get excited about doing jobs they've never been able to do if it wasn't for Bluecrew (catering events held at famous locations with government dignitaries, serving football and soccer fans at the stadiums). And most importantly, we get to witness our employees’ lives change when they land full-time jobs. Getting to help with that and see the results is so fulfilling.

What has D.C. been like during the stay-at-home period?

Genisse: Life feels a little slower, but I’m glad that through Bluecrew we still have employees who are actively working and taking advantage of the free telemed we’ve been able to offer. I work hands-on with our clients, and they are all really thankful that we’re taking health and safety seriously and can still help them hire the skilled workers they need. 

I miss getting to see our clients and workers in person though - making personal connections is one of my favorite parts of working at Bluecrew. Usually, I stop by each worksite monthly and surprise the team with goodies for working hard. I enjoy getting to spread the love that way, and everyone appreciates a break, a treat, and recognition for a job well done. I look forward to getting back to that. 

Cynthia: In a word, D.C. has been quiet. We usually have a bustling city with people flocking in from all parts of the world. Our festivals, concerts, and field trips have all gone quiet. I still see a lot of locals taking adventures on family strolls in the park, but it’s definitely different. Even in the most uncertain of times, it’s nice to still see my neighbors’ smiling faces and to know that we're in this together. 

Usually, there is so much going on in D.C. I miss meeting new people, shaking their hands, going to the famous Cherry Blossom Festival by the Tidal Basin, and the Nats baseball games where you can hear the crowd roar from blocks away. 

I also really enjoy getting to meet up with Genisse for lunch after meeting with a new client and getting to talk about all the awesome companies we’d love to help with staffing. We’re working together to help make staffing in D.C. easier and help people find jobs. 

What are you looking forward to about getting everyone back to work?

Cynthia: Part of Bluecrew’s magic is that we help people feel secure about how they’re going to support themselves and their loved ones. We don’t just provide jobs, we provide safety. We’ve gotten to start relationships with new employers during the pandemic who haven’t gotten to actually start with our Crew Members yet due to the situation. I’m excited to connect them with our awesome crew so they can finally really experience the product that’s bringing them together. 

We also typically do walk-outs where we get to introduce new clients to our Crew Members and watch all of our employees head off to their assigned stations for the day. Those moments make me feel really proud, and I can’t wait to get back to them.

Genisse: I can’t wait to celebrate wins and good health with our clients and Crew Members! In D.C., we celebrate ALL WINS big and small. Every step we take goes towards the greater good and positive vibes for all of the employers we work with and the Crew Members that we help find good D.C. jobs.

What are your favorite Bluecrew memories?

Genisse: There’s one company we staff that has been particularly fun for me. I love food and used to be a pastry chef - so I feel at home in a culinary environment. The chef and I were talking, and our 30-minute meeting turned into 3 hours. We’re pals for life now!

Another favorite thing about working with Bluecrew has been getting to pair with non-profits and military organizations to help those in need of work. We can help out those who need it the most, and getting to do that makes every day great. Most temp agencies don't focus on helping those folks re-enter the workforce, and I’m glad that we do.

Cynthia: I have quite a few stand out memories! One stand-out for me was seeing all of our employees get excited about their first day at a stadium we partner with. They were all talking about how cool it was to be there and their faces were lighting up when we greeted them at the door. At the game, the client was really happy and all of the workers had a great time. It’s a lot of fun to pair people with fun opportunities like that. 

A lot of my favorite memories are during on-site visits like that. One of my favorites was walking into one of our clients’ warehouses.  I stopped at the entrance to scan for an on-site manager, but instead I saw a few of our D.C. Bluecrew employees from afar. They were all hustling, and I saw a supervisor walk by and give one a fist bump. Moments like that - getting to watch people in action, thriving - remind me of how rewarding it is to be part of Bluecrew. 

Learn more about Washington, D.C. jobs and local staffing on our city page.

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