Five Reasons to Consider Temporary Jobs

I often suggest students and other job seekers work temporary jobs as part of their career exploration and/or job search. Five good reasons why:

1. Temp jobs give you the chance to try out different jobs and different employers.
2. You can actually make money – and even more importantly – contacts, while searching for a job.
3. It gets you out of the house and around people. Which can be much more upbeat than searching for jobs online all day long, day after day. . .you get the idea.
4. Temporary jobs fill those gaps on your resume—periods of time which otherwise you might not be able to explain to a prospective employer’s satisfaction.
5. Temporary positions often evolve into full time, longer term jobs. Some employers “try out” people by hiring them in temporary positions. If the person in the temporary role performs satisfactorily, they may be hired on to work directly for the employer.

Last week, I met a Recruiter who now works full time for a company he started with as a temp. In my own career, three of the jobs I’ve enjoyed the most and stayed at the longest began as temporary assignments.

Think about it. . .a temporary position may be “just the ticket”.  Just the ticket to cash, contacts, career moves.  

Welcome to Career Services

Welcome! Whether this is your first semester at Wichita State or you are returning after some time off, we are glad you are here. And, we would love to meet you.

We’re here to help you answer those “what shall I do with my life?” questions, as well as the “where can I do that?” questions that follow. “How can I do that?” questions are important too. We have our own questions, intended to help you answer your questions. And, we have exercises and assessments, designed for the same purpose.

We offer resources to help you find a job on campus – or away from campus. We will assist you with your resume and other job search correspondence (think cover letter and reference page). We will coach you regarding networking and we will help you practice your interview skills.

If it has to do with career or work, we are all about it. Call or come over to 203 Grace Wilkie Hall. We are anxious to see you again. . .or meet you for the first time. Welcome!

 

Eighteen Step Job Search Plan

EIGHTEEN STEP JOB SEARCH PLAN

1.      Prepare resume, cover letter, reference page.

2.      Have above critiqued. Career Services is happy to do this.

3.      Load resume on Hire-a-Shocker. Set up a job agent.

4.      Be prepared to tailor resume and cover letter for specific positions you apply for.

5.      Talk to Career Services regarding the possibility of conducting informational interviews as a way to learn more about particular jobs…and as a way to make new connections.

6.      Make up form to record all applications, networking, other job search steps. Excel works nicely.

7.      Join professional organizations pertinent to profession. Take an active role. Make connections.

8.      Have photo taken for LinkedIn.

9.      Prepare profile on LinkedIn. Ask people to connect with you. Join groups and start/join discussions.

10.   Prepare 30 second introduction and/or “script” for use when meeting new people.

11.   Network. Network everywhere you go. Strike up conversations with people in line at the grocery store, or any place you shop! Make connections.

12.   Send a thank you note to everyone you conduct an informational interview with.

13.   Register with contract houses/temporary agencies. At a minimum, temporary positions teach you how to do the particular job you were hired for. And, they sometimes transfer to fulltime jobs. Temp jobs allow you to earn a paycheck and make connections while you search for a job.

14.   Volunteer as a way to fill the time, learn or enhance your skills and make connections while you are conducting your job search. Work can be paid or unpaid, so you can include volunteer positions on your resume.

15.   When you see jobs advertised, or hear about something, be sure to follow their steps to apply. If they ask for a cover letter, send/take a cover letter. You may want to print a copy of your resume and cover letter, dress up, and deliver your application materials directly to the employer’s site.

16.   Apply directly to organization websites.

17.   It is quite appropriate to use online sites such as Career Builder, Indeed, etc. Just remember, networking is really really important to a job search.

18.   Try not to get discouraged. Job search is difficult. Remain positive, network and make connections. Finding a job is sometimes about timing and who you know.