Temp Jobs?

Hello all. 

I'm on the job hunt.  I'm getting frustrated, but trying to be patient.

I was wondering what type of sucess you may have had with temp agencies.  My husband/family recommended that I register with several.  I wasn't so sure about this, but did so anyway.
It has been several weeks with no calls... finally today I got call about a possible placement.

Hubs tells me to keep on them each week.  I have been, but at times I feel they are annoyed with me.

The job possiblity that came through today was for a receptionist.  I've never done reception work before, and I don't imagine that it would be too difficult as I have good phone/people skills, but was wondering if my "newness" to the area would hinder my ability to do that job.  I'm just thinking that if people ask for directions and the like, I'd have NO CLUE.

Anyhow... I would just appreciate any advice/info from others who have worked for and/or are working for temp agencies... the types of jobs they did, and how they felt they fit in to certain jobs.

On the upside... I've applied for a permanent position in my career field and got a letter requesting samples of my work.  Sent that off yesterday and keeping fingers crossed.

Hiya hon,

I totally recommend temp agencies as a way of testing the water. And your family did right, you should apply to as many as you can and phone them up every week. Phone them on a Thursday, that's when they get their jobs in.  The trick about temp agencies is that they don't usually pick a person based on that they'll be best for the job, they tend to pick the person who's right on top of the list and would be okay for the job. So if you call them on a Thursday, you'll be right on top of the list and you'll have a better chance of getting called back.

And I always enjoyed working in temp jobs. It gave me experience in all types of jobs and different types of companies and gave me a feel of what the work culture was in the UK. I did things from reception to audio typist to PA. Some things I did well in, some things not so much but it was all temporary so I never had to worry about pissing off the company. I didn't work for them, I worked for the agency and if they needed someone else for the job I was in, then the agency would get me another one.

Good luck with it all. Let us know how you do.

I'll echo what Ashley said, don't feel bad about contacting them. That's what they are there for!

zenmomma – Good luck with the job hunt & patience really is a virtue.  By the way – on directions anywhere (in the US or here), I’m *always* using an online map program – maybe that would help you in the reception job if you need it?

I think the temp agencies are a good idea & would second (or third?) Ashley’s feedback.  Around here in Leeds, at least – there are just scads of recruiting/temp firms & some of them appear to specialize in one sort of field or another.  Get your hands on a yellow pages for where you live & make sure you’re getting your CV in to the ones that work with your field if possible.  Phoning them to follow up is good, but dropping by the office occasionally if you have time & you can is also good.  At the outset with an agency where I registered, I had long meeting/conversations with the recruiters (both temp & perm) so that I could dazzle them with brilliance (or baffle them with...) – I think it helps if they can put a face/personality to your name & CV.  I speak (friendly & chatty) with both my temp & perm recruiters on a weekly basis.  Whether they end up actually finding me a permanent job or not, these particular recruiters have done a world of good for my self confidence & taking thorough inventory of my skills, etc.

And like Ashley said – the thing about temp jobs is there’s not a big commitment.  Also, as you try out different temp jobs – you’ll start to figure out what’s working for you & what’s not, so you can keep a dialogue going with the agencies as to what sort of placements you want.  I’ve had a couple of temp placements so far that were ok – not great – but they were only a week long, so I’ve no complaints to be taken seriously.  If a permanent job that I interviewed for today doesn’t come through, I’m going to speak more next time with my recruiters about what sorts of things I DON’T want to do, etc & also I plan to register with more agencies.  So far, the things I’ve done have been senior secretary/PA type stuff – which was alright, except for the audio typing.  (My main problem so far, I think, is myself -- I'm still so nervous & self conscious, etc)

I’m always trolling other sources for jobs as well:  any local newspaper (Yorkshire Post online here & a weekly free paper we get), my council’s web site, local universities, monster.co.uk, NHS jobs web site (for admin stuff), local shop windows, and so on.  Networking with local folks (even through UKY – thanks Ashley!) is good too.  You never know what you might stumble upon where!  I do a lot of online looking – which can be laborious & some weeks doesn’t turn up anything of interest, but as long as I’m unemployed – I figure I have the time.

Good luck on the permanent job prospect in your career field too!

Carolyn

Here is another thread where this was addressed and may help:
http://talk.uk-yankee.com/index.php?topic=8818.0

Hubs tells me to keep on them each week. I have been, but at times I feel they are annoyed with me.

LISTEN TO YOUR HUSBAND!!  They work for you, not the other way round.  Remember, they make money if they find you work... true, only one of the agencies I signed up with emphasised to me, "Call us EVERY DAY if you want to work" - who would you want to find a job for?  The person that's ambitious and going for it, or one who says, 'oh, well, I didn't want to bother anyone"   

Keep at it, it may suck, but trust me, do what you need to do for yourself... if calling an agency is annoying to the agency... get another one.  And yes, cover all your bases, sign up with every agency who'll let you!  And take copies of all those bloody tests so that you won't have to do them over and over again!

We're here for ya; I certainly went through it all... and I suppose my actor training has helped me - I do what I need to do until they actually say NO or STOP CALLING to me directly (fortunately, those are very rare occasions, and you know what?  I STILL got called in to audition at a later time!).

And as far as being a 'newbie' - Life is adventure... jump in and see what happens!  Just know ahead of time:  no, you won't understand all the accents; yes, you will feel stupid... and (I do not mean this in a heartless way) SO WHAT.  Eventually, you will get it, and you just might find a FAB job you love (I STILL can't believe what I got!), and oh, how you will be able to look back and laugh!

Hope this doesn't come across harsh; I mean it to be more like: GO! GO! GO!  You can do it!  C'mon!

Thanks for all the support everyone.  I'm finding that I second guess myself now more because of being in a new place and all...

None of that came across as harsh... it was good to get advice from people who have already done this sort of thing.    Hearing your stories makes me feel much more confident.  I'll keep on top of things.

Thanks again!

as a person who is a Professional temp ( you should see my resume. HA HA>. Temping at first is a lil nervous, but it gives you great  oppertunities to do things you may not know you like. I love temping becasse i have gotten TONS of office skills. Plus  you can always add that to your CV. IT helps a lot.
 Secondly, if someone calls and asks for directions, do what i do .. I dont drive so i never now where anything is. I just  place them on hold and tell them  i will find someone to help them. Call whoever is not busy at the moneht and ask " do  you know how to get  here  from  this place? and if they can help the person, patch the caller through .. Otherwise write it down and ten tell the caller how to get there.
 I love making new friends when working.
My big thing is getting a full time job. I havent had one in years lol. Califonia is not known for  full time jobs. but i hve TONS of office experience. I can do anything about now.

  GOOD LUCK and let us know how it goes. Receptionist is fun.  busy, but fun, because all you do really, is sit down all day, maybe type up some letters, sign for the mail pacakages when they come in, fax or photo copy stuff, transfer calls that you dont have to really answer much to the caller, and  you dont have to take your work home with you. GIVE IT A SHOT you will love it.

SHala