Any experience working for a temp agency?

[Serena]

I have no idea how long my store will be open and I really don't want to wait until I'm told I have a week left there.
Any suggestions or ideas for me?

 

[Cindy B]

I've done a temp agency when I first moved to OH. I got some wonderful longer term assignments. As soon as i registered, I got a job within that week.

I worked (in an administrative assistant capacity), at a hospital, an elevator company, a fashion magazine, and one more place..

It worked very well for me.

 

[Serena]

Hmm, thanks Cindy.

 

[mainewmn]

Not sure if it falls in the same category but I got my current job (I been there for the last 3 years) doing temp to hire with Kelly Services.

 

[Serena]

Yep, it qualifies. I dont' have a lot of work experience so I was thinking that doing something like that might be the way to go.

 

[crazelion]

I have done temp work before sometimes through agency. I enjoy it. I will rather look for a perenement job on my own. But I will do that if did not have something that open for me.

 

[katerkat]

I did temp work for Kelly Services in between semesters for college. I had a job every week I wanted to work and easily could turn down the weeks I went on vacation with my family. I actually worked for the same company (Bell Labs) at each job, though different locations. My last temp job, the boss asked me if I wanted to be hired full-time. (Nope, went back to college!)

On the other hand, I'm currently signed up with a temp agency and they haven't gotten me anything. But I'm not really sure that's their fault - there's just simply no jobs out here.

 

[Mishetta]

When we first moved to MI from CA, my DH could NOT find a job. So just to put food on the table, he went to a temp agency & found a couple diff jobs. Then they sent him to Blue Cross & they ended up offering him a permanent job. So it worked out great for us.

Good luck to you Serena!

 

[beachbunny]

my friend just got a permanant job through a temp agency - she does office work now. about a month ago, she was fired from a job she had been at for about ten years. at that time, her self-esteem was in the toilet and she didn't think she was qualified to do much. the temp agency tested her (wordprocessing skills, etc.) and immediately found her short term stuff - a day here, a day there. last week she went on a last minute temp job and after only one week on the job, she got an offer. turns out she had been underpaid at her last job and will be making more now. she wouldn't have left her previous employer if she hadn't been fired, so I guess being downsized by her cheap bum of a boss really had a silver lining.

 

[Snowysmom]

I have done temp work and actually got a permanent job from it. What I liked about temp work was that you are able to check out the company where you are working without making a major commitment. In my case, they were a start up and asked me if I wanted to work for them permanently after I had been there 2 months. Since I liked the work and the people, it was easy to say yes. Good luck.

 

[Serena]

thanks for the responses. The more I think about it, the better it sounds.

 

[Hillbeans]

I say go for it. I've personally hired a few temps and they've worked out well. It's a good way for the employee and employer to test the waters first before investing a lot of time and energy into something if it's not working.

 

[Cindy B]

You will be tested on your wordprocessing and typing skills. Mostly all that I have been to have given a math test (no calculators), data entry, alphabetizing, typing, and some of them had an Excel test or accounting test.

Be careful though. Some test you not on computers or word processors, but old manual typewriters... (this was the case for me about two years ago!). I just about died when I saw a manual typewriter without correction tape!

It did give me a glimpse of the company to see if I really wanted to be there full time or not. Some of these places, I wouldn't have minded working there full time. (the hospital or the elevator company).

 

[Pin Wizard]

My last job in NJ started through a temp agency. There were 2 open positions in the dept., and the manager asked which one I would like. I chose to work for him since it paid more and the work was more varied.

My first job in Florida was also through an agency. The Executive Officer hired someone and needed a temp to cover a week or two until she could start. He liked how I worked and asked if I wanted to stay! Needless to say, I got that job and the one he actually hired got a call from him that the position had been filled by someone else.

I'm thinking of going to a temp agency now that I moved this week. Good luck, Serena! Temp agencies can be a good foot in the door at decent companies.

 

[C.Ann]

In our area this is how MANY of the companies end up with their permanent employees.. They like the idea of being able to "try out" the employees first and it's equally nice for you!

I say go for it - and I'll bet you'll be pleasantly surprised!!