Finding Work Through A Temporary Agency
By:
Jules Smith
Downsizing. Rightsizing. Reengineering. Whatever you call it,
companies everywhere are cutting costs by reducing their labor
force. While the national unemployment rate has dropped slightly
in the past year, according to the US Department of Labor there
are still some 7.5 million persons out of work across the country.
While this is obviously bad news for those being laid off, and
even for those "fortunate" ones left behind who must cope with a
heavier workload and reduced moral, it's an opportunity for many
others.
In their zeal to
save
money, corporate bean counters often cut too far
and have to supplement their remaining staff with short-term
contract workers.
For seniors unwilling to retire, students with little
experience, and homemakers trying to return to the work force this
can be good news as it opens the door for temporary
employment. For many, these "temp" positions
have become a preferred means of earning a living. Others have
found temping to be an ideal vehicle leading to permanent
positions.
What are the advantages of temping? One individual who worked
as a temp for a year before landing a full time position with a
client explained "you can take or leave any job, the hours are
flexible, the jobs are from everywhere in every field. There is
just so much variety and freedom in temping." Some so enjoy
working as temps they prefer it to regular permanent employment.
A temp assignment may last a single day or many months. As you
move from client to client you have the opportunity to see a range
of procedures and styles. This adds up to valuable experience you
carry with you to future jobs. Paul Hagler of Action Staff in
Tulsa, Oklahoma, who has been in the employment industry for 13
years, explains, "The employee becomes a more rounded and more
productive staff member in the future by seeing the processes of
many different offices."
Of course, with the variety of work comes the reality that
clients often
hire temps to perform tasks that full time
employees don't want to do.
As one temp put it, "You sometimes get the grotty
jobs that no one else wants." It may be work
that's tedious and repetitious, or work that requires virtually no
ability. This can be particularly difficult to endure if you have
greater skills and know you could be doing something else.
As a temp you enjoy a flexible schedule full time permanent
employees often envy. If you're only available certain days of the
week, most agencies can accommodate that. If you need an extended
time off and you've proved to be a good worker, your agency will
be glad to have you back when you return.
The drawback is that you also are at the whim of client's
schedules.
While good employees are in high demand and can usually find
sufficient work, there may be slow times when the phone doesn't
ring. Dry seasons are particularly common during summer months
when students out of school and looking for ways to pay for next
year's tuition flood the job market.
You may be told an assignment will last several weeks, plan
your schedule accordingly, and then the client cancels the
contract.
Be forewarned that you may meet prejudice as a temp. Some of
your coworkers or clients may clearly demonstrate their view of
temps as second-rate employees who only work temp because they
can't make it in a "real" job.
Some people wont bother to get to know you or even extend
common courtesies since you're not going to be there for very
long. They may regard you as a disposable
commodity. One individual who worked as a temp
for several years relates that at one location someone modified
and posted a comic strip that spoke of temps as mindless losers
who run around in circles waiting to be stepped on like ants. Not
very complimentary.
Horror stories aside, if you do your part you are just as
likely to meet many kind and considerate people and will probably
make new friends.
Perhaps what most prospective temps want to know is how much
they'll
get
paid. As with any job, it varies. Some workers
find their hourly wage may be higher when they temp. One employee,
Andy, reports that, "The pay was a little higher through the temp
agency," but goes on to say that the benefits and added bonuses
received with a permanent position offset the lower salary. These
can include pension plans, health and
insurance
coverage, accumulated sick days, employee
discounts, and so forth.
While more firms are starting to include these and other
benefits, many still have no such arrangements or offer them to
long-term employees only.
It's unlikely you'll get even a vague estimate of possible
salary the first time you contact an agency.
Pay
scales depend on a number of factors; the type
of work being performed, the client company, the ability of the
agency to negotiate a reasonable wage, and perhaps most of all
your own skill and experience.
Because of the wide range of
employment
firms in existence it's important to choose your
agencies carefully. Find out first what type of work the agency
offers. If you're looking for general clerical and the agency
supplies mostly factory or warehouse positions you wont get the
amount of work you need. If the agency specializes in legal
secretarial and your background is medical, look elsewhere. If you
have experience in a particular area such as legal, medical, or
accounting, be sure to work with an agency that
specializes in that field as you'll probably pull a higher
salary.
As competition among agencies increases, the range of services
and benefits they provide to both their clients and their
employees improve. Some agencies are starting to provide daycare
facilities. Look for agencies that provide training for their
workers. This may be computer training in the form of one or two
day courses or self-paced tutorials. It may include time
management, personal counseling, and other life
skills.
As you learn new skills, either with the agency or on your own,
be sure to keep your coordinator at the agency informed so she can
use you for more and better paying assignments.
Another factor to consider when choosing an agency is its
reputation.
Do you know anyone who's found work there? Did the agency treat
them well? Some agencies seem to regard their employees as numbers
rather than people and show it by a lack of respect and concern. A
good agency will always treat you with dignity, regardless of your
experience or training.
They will try to work with your specific needs rather than just
dumping you in favor of someone else.
How many agencies should you register with? Most temps agree
that your chance of finding sufficient work varies directly with
the number of agencies you register with. This seems only fair.
Client companies often work with several agencies to fill specific
requirements and to get the best price. Agencies draw from a large
pool of employees to ensure they can match the right person with
the necessary skills and schedule to the right job. By registering
with several agencies you can almost ensure steady work. You can
gradually remove from your list those agencies that don't call or
that pay poorly.
Unfortunately, not all agencies see it this way. Some agencies
may simply drop you if they find out you're working for the
competition.
Don't sign any exclusive contracts unless you're sure you'll
really be able to get the amount and type of work you need. In all
cases, remember the old adage that honesty is the best policy.
Don't try to hide that you're registered with other agencies, but
don't feel obligated to name those agencies either.
Perhaps one of the greatest advantages of working as a temp is
that you can "try out" a company before working for them full
time. This doesn't mean you should just submit an application at a
company where you're temping.
Client companies usually have an agreement with agencies
stating that, should they wish to take a temp on full time,
they'll do so through the agency.
Action Staff, mentioned earlier, actively promotes this process
with a service they call Temporary to Permanent. It allows both
the client and the employee to evaluate each other for 30 days
without commitment.
The program is so successful that Paul Hagler reports that
about 35% of his employees go permanent after completing the
contract assignment.
One of the reasons Action Staff is so successful at satisfying
client and employee needs is the extra effort they put into
preparing employees for specific clients. Paul continues, "We can
... prepare temporary employees beforehand with any tests that may
be given by the client company and/or videotapes directly relating
to their business. In short, most of our temporary employees know
much more about the client company than they would in any other
pre-employment situation."
Even without such an arrangement you may still land a permanent
position.
Kimberly Belfiore of Olsten Temporary Services admits, "We lose
at lot of good temps that way." While it's often just a case of
being in the right place at the right time, there are definite
steps you can take to improve your prospects.
Don't leave it to chance that your agency will tell you of an
opportunity to go full time. When you first register let them know
your goals.
Anita, who found her present position while temping, comments,
"I always let them know I'd like to be full time within six months
and they usually come through." If a particular assignment seems
to be going well and you like the client, call your coordinator
and remind her of your desire for permanent work.
While on assignment keep alert to signs the client may soon be
hiring.
Many companies post job openings internally before looking
elsewhere.
Watch for notices on cafeteria bulletin boards and on the
internal e-mail system. If you see a posting inform your
coordinator at the agency.
Even if you're not interested in the position it may be right
for someone else.
Simply being sent to a client that's intent on hiring doesn't
guarantee you the job. Whether you're hired or not will still
depend on you.
Certainly your skills and ability to perform the required job
functions are important but there's something else even more
essential.
Employers are often willing to train the right person. How do
they define "right"? Answers Paul Hagler, "The ability requested
more often than anything else by our client companies is
dependability. Our studies show that an employee that shows up to
work, on time, every day -- is more likely to be converted to a
full time employee by the client company than one that has better
skills." A mature, professional deportment will take you a long
way.
Finding full time employment can be a job in itself; hunting
through want ads, filling out applications, going on interviews,
all without getting a paycheck. An easier alternative for many is
temping. You can continue looking for a permanent job while
receiving valuable training and experience, while at the same time
generating a good income, often as much as or even more than you'd
normally make. But once you experience the freedom and excitement
of temping, you may decide a permanent job isn't necessary after
all.
Article Source:
http://www.articlerich.com
Jules Smith is the
principal of
LightningStrike Studios, a professional business and technical
writing firm offering a full range of services. LightningStrike
provides magazine articles, newsletters, brochures, press
releases, technical documentation, online help, ghost writing of
books and articles, letters, and web site content. Visit
www.lightningstrikestudios.com
