Recently in Temping Category

Linda writes:

I have a full-time position for which I make a decent salary. The work is not personally fulfilling, and I am ready to upgrade (and update) my skills, perhaps working part-time until I really find something satisfying. Is it REALLY possible to work temporary jobs and maintain a flexible schedule and fairly reliable income? I’m ready to give notice with my current employer.

The Career Doctor responds:

In good or decent economies, yes, it is often possible to work temporary jobs based on your schedule and preference — assuming you have the skills and experience in demand. However, in times of economic uncertainty as we are currently experiencing, temporary agencies are facing a situation of having too few clients interested in hiring temps and lots of people who want to find temping positions.

My best advice to you is to do nothing to jeopardize your current job. Instead, develop a strategy and timeline for making the switch. Consult with one of more temporary agencies — ones that specialize in your area of expertise or in your geographic location. Until you get a sense from these contacts that there will be numerous opportunities for you, I would stay put with your current employer.

By the way, temping is also a great way to experience different types of work and work environments — and an interesting way of trying to find work that is fulfilling, that you can be passionate about.

Finally, before making the move from full-time employment to temping, be sure you also have a good grasp on the pros and cons of temping. It may not be quite what you think.

You can read a number of great articles, find other great resources and tools, and locate temporary employment agencies in this section of Quintessential Careers: Temping Resources.

Catherine writes:

I am unemployed and trying to get temporary work to stay marketable and pay my bills until the right full-time position is offered to me! I plan to attend a career fair for sales/marketing jobs and want your input on how to sell myself as a potential temp, part-timer, freelancer to get my foot in the door for full-time employment. How do I come across as not desperate when my unemployment will be running out in a month or so and I need to start a job right away?

The Career Doctor responds:

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.