Temp Your Way to Your Dream Job: 5 Smart Strategies for Success

Safety?

The concept of job security is rapidly eroding in this country. Frankly, “permanent” jobs are becoming an illusion. According to the Washington Post, more than a quarter of the people who have found jobs since the recession ended have landed in temporary positions. This is a dramatic and unprecedented change in the workplace. Also, “permanent” jobs are an illusion – with a massive downsizing, your job is really “permanent”. Of course, no! No job is permanent at any level or with any company.

Conspiracy?

Many are calling the lack of “permanent” opportunities a conspiracy… some have called it the beginning of the end for the middle class. They complain that companies are adding “consultants” to their ranks to avoid paying benefits and dealing with union workers. Others lament that temporary employment is making it difficult for many to qualify for a mortgage or build their credit score.

Reality!

In these turbulent times, hiring managers simply can’t get headcount approval because corporations don’t know what their business outlook will look like year-over-year. They are hedging their bets by creating temporary jobs to fill the gaps.

Do you think temporary opportunities are all administrative in nature? Think again! Manpower North America recently reported that “companies are hiring more mid-level and even executive staff for temporary or consulting jobs, especially in project roles in accounting, finance, IT, engineering and healthcare.”

The bright side? Temporary workers stay longer in their jobs, averaging 13.8 weeks. And many opportunities have a much longer duration. Typically, about half of those on temporary assignments end up being hired as full-time employees. For the unemployed, these aren’t bad chances of finding the elusive full-time opportunity. In fact, for many, contract employment is a back door entry into a new career.

Temp Your Way to Your Dream Job: 5 Smart Strategies for Success

1) Choose an agency wisely: Whether you want to change your career or hone in on an industry, you can find an agency that focuses on your area of ​​interest, whether it’s accounting, IT, marketing, pharmaceutical, or environmental. The list goes on and on… Also, keep in mind that some temps/consultants actually DO provide benefits to their consultants/temps.

2) Communicate your goals: Are you trying to gain experience in a particular field or improve your skill set? Let your agency recruiter know what he’s looking for and exactly how you think he might “fit” into this type of job. Ultimately, the agency recruiter works for the companies that are hiring. It is up to the agency to make advantageous “matches”. Explain your skills, your field of interest, and “introduce yourself” for various scenarios you would consider.

3) Go above and beyond: Once at work, your first priorities are the tasks at hand. Make them the best you can and then ask for more. Be visible, enthusiastic, and engaged. Find ways to improve the position and suggest process improvements without being obnoxious or pushy. How can you do better in your current temporary role? How can you help save money and be more efficient? Think about these problems while you are at work and mention your solutions to your superiors.

4) Think of the job as a looooong interview: ask questions. Be curious. And stay on your best behavior. Do a little internal research on the different areas of the company and how they might appeal to you and your skill set. Find a way to gently communicate the facts that you are “more than a temp” and are interested in a full-time opportunity with the company. A word to the wise: don’t bother the decision makers with your goals and aspirations. Project professionalism.

5) Explore all the opportunities while you are on the site: Seminars. Have lunch and learn. Blood donations. Sports equipment after work. Take advantage of every opportunity that comes your way to integrate into the fabric of the company. Become an “insider” and others will take notice. Browse open or recently created positions on internal job boards. Even if a job doesn’t materialize, you’ll make new connections, expand your network, and potentially open doors to other unknown opportunities.

Instead of dreading the prospect of temptation, why not accept it? After all, there’s a huge benefit to working for a contract: It’s a great way to test drive a company before committing.