SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA CAREERS / PART-TIME CAREERS : Making the Most of a Temp Agency
Whether you’re between jobs, fresh from college or looking for supplemental income, signing up with a temporary-employment firm is one of the fastest ways to get work. But how do you get the best assignments--and quickly? How do you make the most money? How can you turn a temporary job into a permanent one, if that’s what you want?
There are no set rules, but specialists agree that some basic guidelines will boost your chances for success.
First, know the limits of temping. Diane Thrailkill, a nine-year temp and author of “Temp by Choice,” says temping usually won’t provide you with job security or full health care benefits. You could get stuck doing all of the onerous tasks left by permanent employees, and you may have to deal with misperceptions or prejudices about temps.
But temping gives you more personal flexibility, an inside view of many industries and companies, a weekly paycheck and generally less stress, Thrailkill says.
Once you’re ready to get started, here’s what Thrailkill and other experts suggest:
* Decide whether a specialty or general temporary service is better for you. Some temp firms specialize in data processing, accounting, technical, legal and medical assignments. With these you are more likely to be placed in jobs that utilize your best skills and get higher pay rates, say John Fanning and Rosemary Maniscalco in their book, “Workstyles to Fit Your Lifestyle.” If you’re not sure about your skills, or just want to get a wide range of experiences, a general temporary service would be more appropriate.
* Investigate before you select a temp firm. One of the best ways to scout out temporary agencies is to ask other temps, who can tell you about how they’re treated and the assignments they get, how quickly and for how much. Fanning and Maniscalco suggest that you also screen each service over the phone, taking note of such things as: How is the phone answered? Do you feel like you’re being treated as a valued customer? Drop into the offices unannounced and observe how the offices are managed.
* Register with several agencies simultaneously. Thrailkill, for example, uses half a dozen temporary agencies. “If you’ve never temped at all, start out with at least three to four. That broadens your horizon,” she says. This is an accepted practice in the temp world, so don’t be afraid to be up front about it with your temp counselors.
* Are fringe benefits important to you? While full health care benefits and sick pay are rarely provided, many firms offer vacation and holiday pay, and bonuses for attendance, performance and referrals.
There is no industry standard, and eligibility requirements for benefits vary widely from one company to the next, said Ray Soll, head of the California chapter of the National Assn. of Temporary and Staffing Services. So shop for the agencies with the best benefits and the easiest eligibility terms.
* Call for an interview and make the most of it. During the interview, ask questions, including: What are the industries you serve and some of your client companies? What are your benefits and bonuses? What is your policy if I accept a permanent job from a client?
* Be available and reachable. Many temporary services have a window of only a few hours to fill an assignment, so if they can’t reach you, they’ll offer the job to someone else.
* Be flexible. Temp jobs are supposed to give you flexibility. But in order to make temping work effectively, you need to be flexible, too. That means not being too rigid in terms of pay or job assignments, says Wendy Fallon, manager of Manpower Inc.’s Irvine office.
* Strive toward your ultimate goal. If you want a permanent job, use your temporary assignments toward that end. Ask your temp firms for assignments that specify temp-to-perm opportunities. Take advantage of any free training provided by the temporary services, and learn new skills in your jobs. Get complimentary letters when you finish an assignment.
