A Guide to Temporary Jobs and Agencies

Would you like to have a long job interview with people who would love you on sight, who would get to know you and your work, whom you would be able to evaluate and who would pay you for the privilege?

That's what temporary jobs are about. As a temporary employee you get to know as many companies and industries as you want to sign up for, make lots of contacts and work with people who may eventually hire you if you like each other. They will all be predisposed to like you, because temps come in to solve problems and everyone is glad to see them. And since no one expects temps to do a great job, you'll really impress them if you do.

The pay is pretty bad-although, contrary to popular belief and what the agency may tell you, you can sometimes negotiate-so you don't want to quit your day job to do it. But if you're between day jobs, it can be a great way to network and get paid for it.

Professional temping
In fields like accounting, programming or technical writing, temping-or contracting, as they politely call it-is widespread and even pays decently. Some people in these fields actually prefer temping to full-time employment, especially if their spouses have health insurance. It gives them freedom to run their own lives.

But don't abandon the idea just because you're a lawyer, a physical therapist, a human resources manager or a marketing professional. Temporary employment is available in all these fields. There are even tempoary staffing agencies who place temporary company presidents and chief financial officers. You can find them by contacting headhunters who work in your field. If they don't handle temporary placement, they'll refer you to someone who does. It's a good idea for all temps to sign up with more than one agency. They don't mind; they encourage it.

Professional temps are often hired because someone has suddenly left or because a new need has suddenly arisen. Where do you think the company will turn if it wants to fill the job permanently? To the temp, who already knows the work and the key players and the combination to the restroom door. If you don't want to sign up permanently, you can leave without recriminations and ask your agencies about finding another placement.

Clerical temping
If you can't find a temp job in your field, think about signing up for office work. That goes for you guys too. Office temping is equal opportunity. If you can type your own e-mails, you may be able to land a clerical gig. There are also opportunities selling, working trade shows, doing consumer surveys and handing out samples in supermarkets. You can find them by talking with a few of the many agencies that are listed in the phone book. Interviewing with office temp agencies is fun because they're not weeding out candidates, they're welcoming them. They don't care if you're overqualified or don't have certain kinds of experience. It's an ego trip.

If your profession of choice is office work, you're almost guaranteed to find a permanent job quickly. In fact, lots of employers offer "temp to perm" positions, where you go in as a temp on a trial basis.

If you're looking for something else, like software development or ad copywriting or paralegal work, you can open a great networking opportunity by applying to temp in computer companies or ad agencies or law firms. One beauty of temping being that you can leave by simply asking the agency to replace you, you can try a few until you find one where you'd like to work. Then pick an opportune moment to introduce yourself. As you establish rapport with people, tell them who you are, adding that you think their company would be a great permanent place for you. It often works.

Temping is also a great way to do research. Maybe you've always worked in suburban office parks and would like to try downtown. Maybe you've always worked for charities and are curious about life in investment banks. Temping is a great way to find out. You probably won't be too busy, so you'll have time to explore.

Obstacles?
There are common objections to temping, but they shouldn't deter you.

Looking for a job is a full-time job. No, it's not. Spending your days attending support groups and rewriting your resume can be not only nonproductive but counterproductive. You can get so depressed thinking about your jobless state that no one will think you're fun to hire. Temps are out there meeting people and collecting anecdotes to use in interviews.

It's menial. True, temps are rarely asked to design aircraft on their first day. But hey, this isn't your life's work. You don't want it to be so absorbing that you won't have any energy left for your job search. If you can't stand it, you can ask the temp agency to get you another assignment.

I won't have time for interviewing. Employers know that temps are always looking for something better and will understand when you take time off for interviews. If they don't, you can ask for another assignment.

I'll lose my unemployment benefits. No, you won't. You get benefits for a certain number of weeks rather than for a specific period; e.g., 26 weeks, not June to December. If there's a week when you don't collect because you're temping, it'll simply be deferred-unless your temp contacts have already gotten you a job.

Remember, there are no strings. No commitments beyond those you choose to make. You may go to a different place every day or two, or you may settle in at a place where you can make friends. Either way, you're in control. How many day jobs let you feel that way?

Article provided by Homesteader