10 Tips For Making The Most Of Temping

These days, many companies are finding some of their new employees via temp or temp-to-perm arrangements with agencies like The Job Shop. If you are new to temping, or even if you have been working this way for a while, here are 10 ways to make it a rewarding experience for both you and the employer:

1. Accept a variety of assignments. Since temping can lead to opportunities for permanent employment, be flexible when considering assignments. It's a great way to learn about various industries and companies, and you'll be getting paid in the process. The Job Shop will only offer assignments to candidates with the right skill set for the job, so don't turn something down unless you're absolutely convinced it would be a poor fit for you.

2. Keep in mind the reasons you are temping. If you started temping so that you'd have one or two days a week to search for work on your own, don't start accepting assignments 5 days a week. If you need the money from temping to pay the bills, make sure you set aside enough hours during the week to earn what you need.

3. Go above and beyond what is expected. It doesn't take long to build your reputation - good or bad. Once you are in the temporary workplace - whether it's for a few hours, a day, a week, or an ongoing length of time - do more than what's expected of you. Simply being competent and completing all the work you're assigned will usually get you noticed in many companies. If you show that you are willing to do more than what's expected of you, you'll quickly gain respect and the chance to do more than just answer phones.

4. Get to know as many people and departments as possible. Through casual conversations with your coworkers, you can get a sense of what is going on in the company, and perhaps spot some opportunities for permanent work. If there's an opening in the company that interests you, let your recruiter at The Job Shop know, so we can look into presenting your resume for that position.

5. Seek out extra projects. Depending on the assignment, sometimes you'll be surprised to find yourself with little or no work to do at a temporary job. Instead of curing your boredom by surfing the web or reading a magazine (two things The Job Shop discourages all its candidates from doing at an assignment), ask your supervisor at the company if there's anything you can help them with. With any luck, you might end up learning some new software or participating in an important project.

6. Promote your skills. At some point, you may have an opportunity to chat with your supervisor about yourself. They may or may not have seen a copy of your resume, but in either case, try to work into the conversation a brief summary of what you've done and any skills you possess that may relate to the company or assignment. Doing this, without bragging, may unexpectedly open doors to projects, future assignments, or even job offers.

7. Ask questions. If you don't understand something, ask for clarification. There's nothing wrong with saying that you want to make sure you understand the instructions. Any momentary embarrassment you may feel won't compare to what you'll experience by making mistakes on an assignment after your supervisor thought you understood what to do.

8. Keep your recruiter's contact info on hand at all times. You never know when someone at the company may approach you about a full-time position. If you are interested in the position, talk to your recruiter at The Job Shop. We can then get the ball rolling to get you into that role as soon as possible.

9. Be able to describe your goals. If you spend some time getting to know people at the company, someone will most likely ask you, "So, what kind of a job are you looking for?" You need to be able to respond with a 15-second "advertisement" so that the person quickly understands what you want and what you might contribute to an organization. Even if there's nothing open at that company, the person you're talking to might know somebody at another company who is hiring.

10. Stay positive. It can be difficult to keep a good attitude, especially if you are occasionally referred to as "the temp" by people who don't yet know your name. But with a little grace under pressure and a focus on doing quality work, you'll soon make yourself known and earn the respect of your coworkers and supervisors. Ultimately, it's up to you to make the temp assignment a good overall experience.