Reinventing Your Career? Try Temporary Work

Temping over the Summer

Looking for work this summer? Good news in the US! Unemployment numbers are down, as companies continue to add jobs - and one sector of the labor market that continues to grow is temporary or contract work. Temping is often short-term work and can range from one day to a few months. Summer is a great time to temp because many companies use temps to cover for vacationing staff members. It's also a great way to get your foot in the door of a company that you've targeted. If you have temped in the past, simply re-activate your availability for the summer.  If you are new to temping, it can be the answer to your summer job hunt.

Temping is also great if you're reinventing your career. It allows you to test the waters with multiple companies and sectors and figure out what you're most interested in.

Search for an Agency

Finding an agency starts with a search for jobs in your career field, such as marketing or administration. There are many well known staffing firms, such as Manpower, Adecco, and Aerotek. There are also niche, local, and temp recruiters, so you'll want to conduct research to find a good fit. You should register with at least 3-4 agencies to assure work assignments.

Attracting a Recruiter

Getting the recruiter to get back to you can be a challenge, so try all avenues, including social media sites LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter and G+. Often, you only need to invite a recruiter to connect; if they have an assignment that you're a good fit for, they'll contact you. Make sure your resume is customized for temping, as well.

You'll be Tested!

Once you connect with a recruiter, you can often sign up over the Internet, where you will be required to register and take skills tests including Word or Excel. You will at some point meet with the recruiters.

Temp Jobs Available

Many jobs that are natural for temping are receptionists, office operations, management and administration, assistants, accounting, marketing, software development; and the hospitality sector such as bartenders, servers, and event planning.

Temping Benefits

Temping can offer numerous benefits such as schedule flexibility because you don't have to accept every assignment, so you can work a schedule that fits your needs. Also, if things go well with the firm you're temping at, you can move into other temp positions, or even be offered a permanent position. A few drawbacks is that you may not be eligible for health benefits, though most agencies do offer a certain level of benefits. Often though, the benefits are based on cumulative hours, and you need about a years worth before you can take advantage of those. However, if temping is for you, a year goes by quickly and you'll be able to have a job schedule you like and health benefits.

Tips

1. Be up-to-date on technology. Depending on the position, you'll be tested on Word and Excel, so brush up on, macros, mail merge and spreadsheets! If you're coding, you'll need to provide samples of your code.

2. You need to be proactive! Recruiters are busy, so set-up a check-in schedule with them, either via phone or email once per week. Take care not to appear desperate.

3. Use several temp agencies. You can register with five to seven and increase your odds of picking up assignments.

4. Be ready to work every day! Sometimes, you'll get a call at 10am for an assignment. If you're available for same-day work, you'll increase your chances of picking up work fast.

5. Once you start working, do a great job. Ask questions if you're not sure, and be professional.

6. Impress the management. By doing a great job, or going above and beyond, you can increase the chances of a job offer.

Temping may become a large part of the labor market, as many companies see the advantages of using a temp work force. Summer is an excellent time to test the temping waters!