Avoiding Appearance of Desperation When Seeking Temp Work

First, let me reinforce the positive steps you are taking. You are attending career fairs, talking to temporary-staffing agencies, and are flexible about taking a temporary job as a stepping stone to a career change and a more permanent position.

When you work for a temp agency, you are assigned to go out and do various kinds of work at client companies for varying lengths of time — as short as a few hours, a few days, a couple of weeks, all the way up to several months or longer.

Job-hunting is tough. The current job market is still quite frustrating. We’ve seen a lot of new job creation, but many of them are lower-wage positions. But guess where the other new jobs are? They are temporary positions, as businesses hedge their bets on whether they need to re(hire) more full-time permanent employees or meet the increase in demand with temporary positions.

Not only do you need a job to pay your bills, but you also need the necessary experience to make your career change into marketing and sales… so, the key is finding the temp agency that has the types of clients and jobs that fit your needs. Most communities have numerous staffing firms, so call around and find the one that best fits you.

And when you attend career fairs or go on interviews, the key is to sell yourself — your unique mix of education, accomplishments, and (transferable) skills. Don’t think about your benefits running out, don’t think about whether there could be more qualified job-seekers out there. Instead, focus on the positive. If you are desperate, employers will spot it a mile away.

Once you get placed on a temporary assignment that you enjoy, your next step is working your way to a full-time offer from the employer. You can attempt to accomplish this feat by becoming invaluable, by networking with co-workers and bosses, and by taking advantage of every opportunity (to shine) that comes your way.

Find lots of great resources, including several articles on temping, in this section of Quintessential Careers: Temping Resources for Job-Seekers.