Working for Temp Agencies
More than once I have written about working for temporary agnecies. I have a lot of experience with them, and I think temporary assignments are a great way to test different types of companies and jobs.
There are certain ground rules to follow when working for temporary agencies. I will list them later. One of the first things you want to do before calling a temp agency to set up an appointment is check out their Web site; most, if not all, agencies have one. If you can register online and upload a copy of your resume, do it. This will help a lot with larger agencies like Kelly, Robert Half and Adecco. Another advantage is that you can apply for jobs that you think meet your skill set. Within one or two days, someone from the agency will call you. You will still have to go in for an interview and skills testing, but incoroporating you into their employee network will be easier for the agency.
Many times I have read blogs where people lamented that agencies boasted dozens of jobs in ads, but when they went in to apply, the jobs had all disappeared. This isn’t true. The agency does have many jobs. The problem is they may not have any that match your skill set. This is frustrating to say the least. That’s why I advocate registering with at least two agencies at once. Sometimes I was registered with as many as five at one time.
Regardless of how many agencies you are registered with, there are certain rules you should follow to be the most desirable temp in town:
1. Be prepared. When you go in for your interview and skills tests, have at least two copies of your resume, three references and two forms of I.D.
2. Be professional. Dress for an interview with a temp agency as if you were going to an interview at a Fortune 500 company. You never know where you might end up.
3. Be patient. Sometimes agencies have quick turnover for assignments, but sometimes things are slow. While you’re waiting for an assignment to come through, start checking out other agencies to see what kind of jobs they have to offer.
4. Be cooperative. Some jobs will be below your skill set or only one or two days in length. (I once did a two-day assignment with Hefron-Tillotson where I stuffed envelopes with invitations to a client appreciation dinner). By showing a willingness to accept short-term or mundane assignments, you show the agency your willingness to help out. This will serve you well when meatier assignments come along later on.
5. Be flexible. Always be willing to accept an assignment in a moment’s notice. If the agency calls you at 8 a.m. and asks if you can show up at an assignment by 11 a.m., say yes, then make it happen. Sometimes this won’t be possible. That’s okay. In four years of working as a temp, I only got called on short notice three times.
6. Be persistent. Although it’s the temp agency’s job to conduct your job search for you, you have to let them know that you’re, ready, willing and available to work. By calling in every day to ask if any new assignments meeting your skill set have come in, you let them know that you want to work. And don’t be put off by the old “Don’t call us, we’ll call you,” speech. The more you call, the harder they’ll work to find you a job, if for no other reason than to get you to stop calling.
7. Remember who you work for. The temp agency is your boss, not the client company. Any time you need to call off or call to say you’ll be late, call the agency first, then call the client.
8. Take advantage of any training the agency offers. Some temp agencies, like Office Team (under the Robert Half umbrella), offer skills training on their Web sites. If you’re missing out on assignments because you lack Power Point, Access or Excel skills, then it would definitely be in your best interest to take the training courses offered on the agency’s site. Some agencies allow you to make an appointment to come into their offices and do your training there. Again, it’s worth it if you want to have more assignments available to you.
These are just a few tips to help make temporary work a pleasant experience for both you and the agency representing you. And remember, temp agencies also have assignments that are temp-to-permanent, if what you’re really looking for is a permanent position.
