Wednesday, July 28, 2010

Temporary Assignments as a Job Search Method

Looking for a job, but haven’t found what you want? You may want to consider working as a “temp”.

Some potential benefits of working a temporary job include:

$$$$$$s! Not a small thing to most people in the job market.

A productive alternative to sitting home sending out resumes day after day after day. . .

Networking. Working a temporary position is a great way to connect with lots of people including supervisors and coworkers—and even other people working as/looking for work as a temp. Example: I landed my first job out of college based on a job lead from a woman I met in the elevator at a local placement agency.

An effective way to prove yourself – with an organization and with the people you work with/for. This can lead to a great reference. . .or even a full time job. Many companies use temporary assignments as selection tools. Another example: I moved into two great positions by starting as a temp.

The chance to try out companies and positions. Just as companies may try people out as temps before bringing them on as full time employees, you can try out companies while working as a temp.

Experience to add to your credentials and resume. Temping may offer a chance to enhance skills or learn new skills.

Filler for gaps in employment. Prospective employers look at resumes with an eye for gaps in employment. Temping shows you had the initiative to “get out there” and work at a time when you would otherwise have been unemployed.

How to find a temporary job? Look at the yellow pages under “Employment Agencies”. Print off copies of your current resume on high quality bond paper and visit the agencies of interest to you.

Temping. . . might want to think about it. Worked for me. Could work for you.

~ jan

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