Need temping tips

[EmberMae]

Alright, I'm thinking that I need to just temp for awhile. Searching for fulltime jobs is not going well and i'm really not sure what I want to do anyway. But I need money so I figure I can temp for a few months, try some things out, and get some experience. But I'm not sure how to get started.

How many temp agencies need I apply to?

What is the best way to apply? Many say to fill out an online form or to email a resume, but this doesn't seem effective to me.

How do I get a job? One book I read to call all the temp agencies every day at 8 am because they won't call you for a job. Is this true?

How long do you think it will take to find a job? (Looking for admin/clerical here)

How long do the jobs typically last?

What else do I need to know?

Thanks

[rightstar76]

Unless you're temping with a manual labor agency. Then you probably do. But if you're admin/clerical the best thing is to put on your resume all the great things you can do with Excel, Access, Powerpoint, Word and highlight them. Then CALL the agencies and set up appointments. You'll have to submit your resume by email or fax, then come in to go through a battery of tests at each place so that the agency can tell their clients how qualified you are to be an admin/clerical temp. Sign up with 3 or 4 so you have a good chance of getting something soon. Call in each week available and sometimes more often so the recruiter has you in mind when a job opening comes up. One last thing, be flexible in your hourly wage expectation. Ask for a range the agency pays. If there are a ton of temp jobs in your category, you can probably ask for the top, provided you're qualified. If there are few jobs in your category or if you're not too qualified, best to go at the lower end since if you ask for too much, the agency may not be able to get you in the door when they submit your resume. Best of luck.

Rightstar

[shadeofgreen]

Call the agency first and ask them how to apply. I've signed up with four different temp agencies and all of them had me come in and fill out an application. Most will have you do keyboarding and software proficiency tests. I've been pretty lucky and most of the time have been offered assignments immediately after applying. If they don't have anything for you immediately definitely call them every week or two just so they know you're still looking.

I think most people will suggest applying to several agencies but I have always done one at a time, basically signing up out of necessity. If the one I'm with has nothing for me, I go to another. But it's not a bad idea to have your options open and have the potential for choice. Some agencies pay better than others, too, so it's nice to be signed up at a second or third or fourth agency when the first one tries to place you at a job that'll pay $8/hr.

[rightstar76]

You should be able to get at least $10-$13 an hour on data entry assignments. If you're going to be doing powerpoint presentations for a VP, then you should definitely be paid more.

Rightstar

[canela]

I usually sign up with two that I've had the best luck with. I've done both the email the resume technique, and the go in person. No matter which way you go, you will have to go in for the testing phase like what was stated above.

I call to check in once a week when not employed. My agencies have always been very good about calling me about potential assignments. In fact, I just had one snag my resume off of Monster.com today (where I had forgotten I had posted it about six months ago) and offer me a job back in the Boston metro area where I would like to return to.

Depending on the position, you may or may not be offered a salary range. Sometimes it's preset. Either you take it or you don't - I've turned down a few based on travel vs pay. Hourly figures also vary depending on where in the world you are. I'd get $13/hr for data entry in Boston, but I'd be lucky to get $8 for the same job here in Tennessee.

Positions can range from one day to temp to hire. I've worked as little as three days, as long as eight months, and only left when the company that wanted to take me on had a hiring freeze right after 9/11. Sometimes you'll get lucky and get a job right away... sometimes I've gone a month without anything... it depends on the market and how many temps the company is dealing with. It seems as soon as you find a job elsewhere, though, the temp agencies will all of a sudden remember your phone number :rolleyes: