Hiring Managers Love Temporary Employment Agencies

As a hiring manager, let me say this right up front: I love temporary employment agencies!

Many times over the years, I've been able to get immediate help when I needed it badly by working with a good temporary employment agency. The best ones do a good job of screening candidates and I can specify the exact skills that I need.

Plus, if a particular temporary employee doesn't work out for some reason, the agency will immediately replace that person with another one.

If I don't need the temporary person for as long as I originally thought, I simply tell the agency I don't need them anymore. If I need them longer, I can almost always get them extended. From a hiring manager's perspective, it just doesn't get any better than this.

Yes, temporary employment agencies are certainly a great deal for the employer.

But what about for the job seeker? For you, temporary employment agencies can have advantages and disadvantages, depending on your immediate job goals.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Temporary Employment Agencies

• Get to know the employer
  And just as important, they get to know you. As a hiring manager, I've made permanent job offers to temporary employees many times. I know what I'm getting and the employee knows what sort of company they're getting into.
  
• Network and get references
  While working in the company, you can find out about other opportunities for which you may be a fit (be sure to check if your employment agency contract allows you to accept a permanent job without penalty). Also, people you work with and have impressed can make good references for you.
• Develop new skills
  This can enhance your chances of getting a permanent job at that or another company.
  
• Gain experience
  Experience translates to higher salaries in your job search and a temporary job can give you experience you wouldn't otherwise have.
  
• No long term commitment
  You may not have an idea of what you're looking for in a permanent job. Temporary jobs can be a good way to sample several jobs to determine what is attractive to you.
  
• Fills employment gaps
  This shows potential employers that you have the initiative to do something productive while searching for a new job.
  
• Flexible hours
  If you're placed with a large company, they may offer flexible hours. This helps in your search for a permanent job.
  
• Earn money
  And of course, a temporary job will at least bring in some income while you're job searching!

DISADVANTAGES

• Little job security
  Temps are frequently the first ones to be let go in times of downsizing, as there is no penalty for the employer.
  
• Repetitious work
  Temporary jobs are frequently for routine activities, so the work can sometimes be repetitious.
  
• Limited benefits
  There are usually limited or no benefits for temporary employees. However, the better temporary employment agencies may offer benefits once you've been with them a while.
  
• Employee treatment
  Some employers may not treat their temporary workers as well as their permanent workers. On the plus side, this can be a signal that you wouldn't want a permanent job there.

  Is Temporary Work for You?

  While temporary work has traditionally been identified with office workers – e.g. clerical, customer service, receptionist and data entry – it's also widely used in manufacturing companies for jobs such as package and assembly line workers.

  But don't stop there. Many professional jobs now use temporary employment agencies to fill short-term needs without having to add permanent staff. Just think of all those radio commercials you've heard for AccounTemps!

  And today, there is a wide and growing market for temporary workers in the computer technology fields, especially for those with very specific technical skills. It's frequently the most cost effective for an IT hiring manager to hire a temporary worker for very specific, one time technical needs.

  Even executives take temporary jobs (although these are usually called "contracts" rather than temp jobs!).

  So don't shy away from considering work at a temporary agency. Remember: we hiring managers love them!

  WHAT TO LOOK FOR IN A TEMPORARY EMPLOYMENT AGENCY

  First and foremost, look for a temporary employment agency with the least restrictive contract.

  Many agencies have a contract clause that prohibits you from taking a permanent job with a company they've placed you with, unless you wait a period of time after your temporary assignment. This can be anywhere from 30 to 90 days, unless the employer pays a penalty to the agency.

  So, look for an agency that places no restrictions on your accepting a job, or has only a short waiting period. As a hiring manager, these are the type of temporary agencies I like to work with.

  Second, look for temporary employment agencies that offer at least some benefits once you've worked for them a while.

  Also, find out what their hiring process is and the types of skills they need the most. In this respect, you should treat them like any other company at which you're seeking employment.

  Call ahead to find out what kind of testing they do. Ask about the geographical areas they service and the types of skills that they are most able to place. Be ready to be tested on your Microsoft Office and data entry skills. Some agencies will not speak with you until after they have done this testing. They don't want to take time placing you until they can match you skills with the job.

  All in all, you should find working with temporary agencies to be a pleasant experience. After all, they wouldn't be in business if they didn't have qualified people such as yourself.

  If you prefer finding temporary jobs online, here is an excellent source: Net-Temps. They match online applicants with temporary jobs. Their web site has an Alexa rating of 12,100, which indicates they are getting massive traffic.

  This may be just the short term option you need.