Some Tips on Getting Temporary Work
Gary is a college student who needs money for car insurance. Mary, a divorced woman who never worked outside the home, must earn a living but is afraid to enter the job market. Harvey retired last year and now finds little to fill the work-free days he had eagerly awaited.
These people solved their problems in a similar fashion. They joined the ever-growing ranks of the temporary work force.
Bonnie Mazin Sloate, a staff counselor with Ireta/Teamwork, which handles temporary and permanent employment, says: “Working as a temporary employee gives you the freedom of working for yourself. You can decide when and how many days you want to work. Older people who remember it was frowned upon to work ‘temp’ should know it’s a whole different thing today. We have so many people who are really sought after, and we have companies that want to hire them for permanent jobs, but they don’t want to go. They want to be temporary people.”
Varied Backgrounds
These temporary workers come from every background and age group. In Los Angeles the files of temporary agencies include students, senior citizens (there is no age limit), artists, actors, musicians, engineers, Ph.D.s and college graduates who aren’t certain what career to choose, as well as those from almost any category you can name. People who haven’t worked for a while and those who never worked can gain confidence and satisfaction from joining the temporary work force.
Marjorie Bartok, area manager for Los Angeles and Orange County branches of Manpower Inc., which is among the largest temporary employment agencies in the world, says last year, 460,348 people worked for her agency alone. Bartok adds: “Many people can make the same pay with us as they could permanently. The pay raises are very competitive. At Manpower we give benefits such as paid holidays, vacations and a health plan, based on a specific number of hours the employee works for us.
“The percentage of men now working on a temporary basis is catching up to women,” Bartok says. “It had been a case of more women because of the nature of the work, which was mainly clerical and secretarial. However, with the onslaught of office automation, including computers and word processors, there are more men coming into the field. The pay rate for employees is definitely related to the skills a person has. Shorthand isn’t requested as often as it was because of computers. It is sort of a dying thing, but some executives still like to dictate.”
Although some agencies may pay the minimum wage, the pay rate for temporary employees usually varies from about $5 to $15 or $18 an hour. To reach the top pay, an employee would have to be proficient with word processing and computers and have some special expertise, such as legal knowledge.
Some temporary employment agencies offer free training on automated office machines, such as word processors, because there aren’t enough people with these skills to fill their customers’ needs.
Before Deciding, Ask
To break into the temporary job market, first register with an agency. There are many of these and some are geared to specific industries, such as entertainment. The pay scale from agency to agency varies, so it’s a good idea to ask questions before you make a decision. It’s OK to register with more than one agency, and if you do, you will have more opportunity to work steadily.
However, you must be sure to tell agencies when you are available. Most agencies ask employees to check in the day before they want to work or early in the morning of the day they are ready for an assignment. You can usually refuse any assignment without going into a long explanation.
The best way to find an agency is to ask friends who have worked temporary jobs. Next you can turn to the Yellow Pages in your phone book under the heading “Employment-Temporary.” If you want to work in the studios, either call the personnel department of a studio and ask what temporary agency they use or the listing in the directory will usually mention whether an agency deals with the entertainment industry.
A reputable temporary agency will rarely if ever charge you a fee, because their revenue comes from the companies that use their services. Beware of anyone who wants you to pay for a temporary job.
If an employer offers you permanent work, check with your temporary agency first, because each agency may have its own rules on whether you pay a fee in this case. Before signing with any agency, read the fine print on the application.
Many agencies also have a permanent job section, but some, such as Manpower Inc., deal only in temporary positions.
Once you decide to apply for work, you can expect to be tested by the agency. These tests are based on your prior work experience and your general knowledge. Don’t worry if you have never seen the inside of an office or answered a phone with more than one “hold” button.
Sloate of Ireta/Teamwork says: “Someone who has a pleasant voice and enjoys talking to people can be a good receptionist even though he or she may never have done anything like this before. People who might enjoy keeping track of a checkbook record are organized and can take on a file clerk position at any age, without ever having worked previously.”
Manpower’s Bartok believes in making use of a person’s innate abilities and then providing training so the employee can take on more complicated responsibilities and thus earn more money.
Best Impression
Both Sloate and Bartok agree that when you register with an agency, it’s important to make the best impression possible. Women should wear a suit or dress or at least a blouse and skirt and don’t forget hosiery. Men should wear slacks, a shirt and tie and dress shoes. Once you are sent out on an assignment, you should continue to dress the same way.
Show each new employer all your work skills. Take the job seriously, keep an open mind and be as flexible as possible. If you have problems on the job, call your agency right away.
Bartok says: “We never send people out on something we don’t think they can handle because it’s all a confidence-building process.”
Of course, as with any experience, there can be a downside, and not every employer will be someone you’d want for a friend. However, many people who work in this field are delighted with the flexibility, new experiences and the possibility of finding a permanent career.
