Temp Your Way to a New career


Most of us think of temp jobs as job for people who cannot find full time employment or cannot break their way into a new career position. However, for many temping can be used as an effective strategy to break into a new career field no matter how experienced you may be. If you are one of the 5.1 million Americans who has been laid off, downsized, or the victim of a business gone bankrupt, temping can be an effective way to break into that new career. If you are willing to break into that new career via temping here are a few strategies to help you get started:

Select a reputable Temp agency

1. Selecting the right temp agency is the key to breaking into a new career. Temp agencies that provide specialty placements in just one industry are highly recommended. While a general temp agency will place workers in any position that they have available, a temp agency that provide specialty placements will generally focus on one area such as sales. Moreover, a specialty temp agency is more likely to work with great deal of companies that are only seeking sales professionals.

2. Get to know your placement officer. The more your placement knows about you the more likely they will be able to place you in a job that is right for you. Be sure to emphasize any special job qualifications, you flexibility, and transferable skills that you may have. Lastly, remember that the temp agency main goal is to make the employer (client) happy, so it is in the best interest of the agency to place you in a position that will be a good fit for you and the employer.

3. Lastly, temp agencies make money from your initial placement, but more important temp agencies are more interested in building their reputation, generating more clients’ referrals, and getting the conversion bonus should you stay with the employer permanently. Therefore, the temp agency wants to place the best candidates with each employer (client).

After getting placed

1. Stick to the specific position that you were hired for. Too often temps try to seek a different position once they are hired. There will be plenty of time for this later. Be sure to focus on the performing the jib you were hire for to the best of your ability. Trying to move up the corporate ladder immediately after filing a temp position generally backfires.

2. Use the temp position as an opportunity to learn new skills, network, and get involved in the company. Any and everything you learn from your temp position will help you break into the industry whether it is for your current employer or another. You never know they may be training there competition. As a temp you have the opportunity to learn about you company, research the industry, observe best practices, glean information from employees and your boss. As a temp, your primary goal is to watch and learn. Working for a temp agency does not have to have the negative connotation that is once held. By using the abovementioned strategies one can find that working for a temp agency can be a great way to break into a new career field. Remember to get involved in your company, attend all company-sponsored events, and take every opportunity to learn about the company and its industry.