Temp’ing Your Way to Full-Time Work
No one likes to be without a job, and in this day of employment uncertainty it can be difficult to find a full-time position that enthuses and impassions you. But if you’ve been looking for awhile and have run out of leads, you may consider temporary work. Because while temp work has had the reputation of being thankless and unpleasant, there are many advantages you just might want to consider.
Advantages of Temporary Work
1. Keeping the bigger wolves at bay while looking for full-time work
You need to buy groceries, pay the electric bill, and buy the stamp that goes on the remittance envelope. These are all good reasons to get a temporary position; you can earn money while continuing your job search. Now maybe it’s not as much you’d like to make ultimately, but a lower-paying job is sometimes better than no job at all.
2. Getting a flavor of different organizations and positions
I’m sure there are a few of us who wish we could have sampled our current company before going full-time. Temp work puts you in a prime position with some companies; you become familiar with their policies, procedures, and work environment which can give you the advantage when a full-time position becomes available. And you’ve had the time to determine whether or not this is even a company you’d like to work for long-term. Sometimes it exposes you to your dream employer, providing you with just the focus you need in your job search.
3. Showcase skills to potential employers
Like we mentioned above, when positions within a company become available, if you’ve done well in the temp position you can become a prime candidate for their full-time positions. See this as an opportunity to showcase your skills and abilities. “Wow” potential employers. “Temping” comes into play much more brightly when you are able to gain a temp position in the company you would like to eventually stick with. This is a great way to get your foot in the door.
4. Network with new people
In a temp job you’re exposed to a new group contacts you can network with. And it’s no secret that you’re temporary; these new acquaintances might be able to connect you with that perfect job. This may not happen if you are working an assembly line when you are looking for desk work, but you always need to keep your Networking “radar” keen, you never know what connection can get you into that dream position.
5. Choose a more flexible work schedule
Life can be full of stressful situations, including significant life changes (divorce, death, birth, illness, a move, schooling, etc.) that may require you to take a more flexible approach to work. With temporary positions you can work part-time, full-time, for a month at a time, or longer. While benefits aren’t part of the temporary package, this flexibility may be just the benefit you need right now.
Temping Tips
But let’s be honest. Temporary work isn’t all roses and sunshine. But knowing what you’re getting into will help you make the most of temp opportunities. Here are just a few things to remember when going to a temporary staffing agency:
Check the temp agency’s reputation
Do your homework; first and foremost, check the agency’s reputation. Look online, ask around, check with your state’s consumer protection agency to see if they have any complaints filed. Just don’t walk blindly into the first temp agency you see.
Avoid temping agencies during college holidays
You can imagine that this is a busy time for temp agencies. Not only will you avoid this rush, you’ll also avoid being grouped with all these students who lack advanced shills and experience.
Negotiate wage before starting
Some temp agencies try to pay you as little as possible. Understand that you won’t make as much as you would with a full-time position, but you also shouldn’t have to settle for minimum wage. Ask skill assessment and how wages scale to match more advanced skills. On your Temp Application they usually ask the wage you are willing to accept.
Understand your obligations
Be sure to understand the terms and conditions of your employment through the temp agency. You don’t want to get a full-time job offer, only to discover you’re required to work for the temp agency for 3 more months.
If possible, go to a specialty staffing agency
Depending on where you are, there are some temp agencies that specialize in various occupations. With accountant and bookkeeper skills, you could look to a staffing agency that fills financial positions. There are also some more progressive temp agencies that offer benefits.
Whatever you do, don’t disregard temp work. There are many advantages that have permanent results. And who knows, it may be just what your job search needs to get you the full-time position you’ve been looking for.
Use this time in a constructive way to enhance your job opportunities in the near future. Temping or in a full-time position you need something to get noticed. It is an established fact that if an employer cannot picture you in a role, they will not put you there either. If you work in Accounting, Bookkeeping, or a related field, the best way to get noticed is with additional training. And the best way to get accelerated training is with the Professional Bookkeeper program. In just 60 hours of video-based teaching that you learn at your pace, you will learn the full Accounting process that will make your boss notice you and picture yourself in internal promotional opportunities as they arise.
Maybe even more important is that upon successfully completing the Professional Bookkeeper course, you will be able to add the PB designation to the end of your name. Bearing the PB designation states boldly to potential employers that you have what it takes to do the entire Accounting process from clerk to Full Charge Accountant with emphasis on small to mid-sized business accounting. The PB designation proves that you have the hands-on skills to work in a variety of Accounting tasks and can be called upon to perform a broad range of Accounting and Bookkeeping responsibilities. With the PB designation, you show that you know!
Learn How to Accelerate Your Career With the Professional Bookkeeper Program
